George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I can tell the Senate that on 7 November a detainee escaped the Christmas Island detention centre, and I am sorry to say that the detainee was found deceased outside the detention centre by the Australian Federal Police the next day, 8 November. I am sure the honourable senator would understand that it is not appropriate for me to comment further on the matter, at this stage, because the detainee's death is the subject of a coronial inquiry. Immigration staff and service providers are working to resolve a disturbance at the Christmas Island detention centre and are committed to maintaining the good order of the centre.