Six Villawood detainees on the run

The federal government has moved to head off opposition claims a breakout at the
Villawood immigration detention centre is the result of overcrowding stemming from a
surge in asylum-seeker arrivals.
The company that runs the Villawood immigration detention centre, in Sydney's
southwest, is facing fines and sanctions after six people escaped from the
high-security facility.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans on Tuesday ordered an immediate investigation into
the breakout, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, the latest in a
series of escapes from Villawood.
Police are still searching for the six Chinese nationals who remain on the run after
escaping from the centre about 3.30am (AEST) on Tuesday.
Another three involved in the breakout were detained by police at the scene as they
tried to escape.
The Department of Immigration was unable to confirm reports that some of the
detainees threatened staff with makeshift weapons during the escape.
"The circumstances of the escape are currently under investigation," a spokesman
told AAP.
But a spokesman for Senator Evans said none of those involved were believed to pose
a risk to the community.
The UK-based security firm Serco, which runs Villawood, is likely to be hit with
fines and sanctions if it is proven that the escapes were the result of lax work
practices or incompetence.
The latest incident comes after three Chinese men escaped from Villawood in March
after scaling a fence, and another escape in February.
"These further escapes from VIDC will not be tolerated," the spokesman said.
The government was also quick to point out the escapees were not asylum seekers and
did not arrive in Australia by boat, as it tried to head off opposition claims the
incident was the result of changes to Australia's border protection regime.
"While this is a regrettable development, escapes from immigration detention have
occurred over a very long period," the spokesman said.
"The government rejects any claims that today's escapes were caused because
Villawood is over capacity - this is simply not true. Villawood is currently well
under capacity."
But opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said the number of asylum
seekers in detention was putting pressure on facilities such as Villawood, adding
that Labor's changes to Australia's border protection regime were to blame.
"They're all in the same detention centre and when the resources are stretched,
that's the consequence," he told AAP.
More than 150 people escaped from detention between 2001 and 2002 under the former
Howard government. There have been 37 escapes from detention under Labor.
"Yes, people break out of detention centres when there's lots of people in detention
centres," Mr Morrison said.
"The problem is in Australia, there are too many people in detention centres because
of the failed border protection policies."
The government said that in 2000-01, when Australia's detention population was
comparable with the current level of 3,700, 66 detainees escaped, while in 2001-02,
when there were almost 4,000 people detained, 157 detainees escaped.
The Department of Immigration said it would review the systems, procedures and
infrastructure currently in place at Villawood.
"The department will work actively with the detention services provider to review
systems, procedures and infrastructure that is currently in place," a spokesman
said.