Australia: Riot causes $70,000 damage to Baxter

(2005)

A riot by asylum seekers, sparked by complaints of bad food, has
caused up to $70,000 damage to the Baxter detention centre.

Police are expected to charge some of the 25 detainees who
damaged a kitchen, mess hall and store room during Friday night's disturbance.

The immigration department said the five minute riot
caused between $50,000 and $70,000 damage to the centre in South Australia's north.

A department spokesman said complaints about the
evening meal of lamb aubergine sparked the riot in a compound called Blue Two.

Detainees damaged security cameras, lighting,
tables, chairs and food warmers during the disturbance, the spokesman said.

The alleged ringleaders of the disturbance have been placed
in isolation and the rest of the detainees separated into different compounds.

No women or children were involved, and no one
was injured in the riot, which was brought under
control by guards of the centre's private manager, Global
Solutions Limited, the spokesman said.
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Police had yet to lay charges but were continuing
investigations, he said.