Opposition says asylum seekers are 'out of control' after Christmas Island riot

Federal Police officers at the detention centre

THE second major riot on Christmas Island in less than three months has sparked another promise of a detention centre review. 
 
A guard suffered a leg injury when poles and concrete were used as weapons to attack authorities during a violent uprising that began on Thursday night.

Police used capsicum spray and bean-bag bullets to quash the unrest involving 80 to 100 asylum seekers.
The Opposition said it was a clear sign the Gillard Government had "lost control" of the immigration detention system, which now costs about $1 billion to run.
Officials are bracing for further protests over the weekend after some detainees took to the roof of the centre to continue action.

An inquiry is already being held into the March violence at Christmas Island that left buildings torched and cost millions of dollars.

Seyed Majid Rabet, 42-years-old asylum seeker suffering Leprosy at Villawood, detention centre. Picture: Supplied

In a further blow for the Government, a case of leprosy was yesterday confirmed at the Villawood Detention Centre in Sydney.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the health scare was "concerning" but the illness was contained.
He said the situation at Christmas Island would be reviewed, but that the centre had returned to calm.
"I believe that in the majority of cases the security level at the centre and the physical infrastructure is appropriate," he said.

Sources told the Herald Sun the riot began after at least one asylum seeker had a refugee application rejected.
An Australian Federal Police spokesman said officers were called to the centre about 11pm and used "less than lethal munitions, including chemical munitions, a bean-bag round and distraction devices" to regain order.
Mr Morrison said the Government had "lost control".
"The reason we have such unrest in our detention centres principally is because of the failure of their border protection

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