12.56 pm, Thursday May 17 2012

Refugee Anzac protest inappropriate: Swan

14:31 AEDT Sat Apr 23 2011
VIEWS: 0
| FLOCKS: 0
| comments0 comments so far
Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan
A rally outside Villawood Detention Centre on Anzac Day would be inappropriate, Wayne Swan says.

Also on
The forceWoman controls robot with mind SurvivorHawk drops puppy from sky BootedFavourite kicked off The Voice The attack.Road rageUK woman punches cyclist Charlize TheronSmoky eyes How to get Charlize's look Emily SeebohmProud mum'My daughter the Olympic star'

A rally outside Sydney's Villawood Detention Centre on Anzac Day in support of protesting detainees would be inappropriate, Acting Prime Minister Wayne Swan says.

The Refugee Rights Action Network is planning a demonstration on Monday outside the detention centre where four people are still protesting on the roof after riots in which nine buildings were destroyed earlier this week.

Mr Swan said the rioters' actions could not be defended and the rally would be inappropriate.

"I don't think that's necessarily appropriate at all. There has been unacceptable behaviour by people inside the facility," he told reporters in Cairns on Saturday.

"We cannot, in any way, condone the sorts of acts and behaviour we have seen at that facility in recent days."

Mr Swan refused to be drawn on the police's decision to deny food to the four protesters still on the centre's roof.

"I think the authorities should take every responsible course of action to remove people from those positions. That is entirely a matter for the law enforcement officials."

Federal police have removed 22 detainees believed to have been involved in Wednesday night's fiery riot and Mr Swan on Friday promised those involved would "feel the full force of the law".

However, he has ruled out making any changes to Australia's immigration detention policies until after an inquiry is completed into the Villawood riots and a similar incident at the Christmas Island detention centre last month.

 

Most popular

 Carmen Smith dumped from The VoiceOne of the stars of The Voice will leave the show after it was deemed her performance in a Guy Sebastian video clip gave her an unfair advantage.
 Dentist left broken drill bit in man's toothA NSW man has been forced to undergo expensive surgery after a dentist broke a drill bit off in his tooth and it was left untreated for several years.
 Robert F. Kennedy Jr's second wife deadMary Kennedy, the 52-year-old estranged wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr, has been found dead at her home in Bedford, New York, US media reports said Wednesday.
 Samantha Harris involved in fatal crashPolice are investigating a car crash that left Australian supermodel Samantha Harris' fiancé with spinal injuries and killed a 79-year-old man in Sydney on Saturday morning.
 Hawk drops puppy from skyA California woman has taken a two-month-old puppy into her home after seeing it being dropped from the sky by a hawk.
 Prince Philip shocks with lewd dress remarkGaffe-prone Prince Philip stunned fans at a public greeting by making a a lewd remark about a 25-year-old woman's dress.
 Daughter slams Korp killing operaThe daughter of a Melbourne man who committed suicide after being suspected of conspiring to kill his wife has described an opera based on the 2005 events as "sick" and "disgusting".
 Michael Clarke weds in private ceremonyAustralian cricket captain Michael Clarke has married girlfriend Kyly Boldy at an intimate service.
 Paralysed woman controls robot arm with mindA paralysed woman in the US has been able to use her mind to control a robotic arm, thanks to nearly 100 electrodes implanted in her brain.
 Dad cleared of raping two baby daughtersA prominent Los Angeles photographer falsely accused of raping his two baby daughters said he broke down and cried when he found out a court had cleared him of the alleged crime.
Be our fan on Facebook
Most Recommended
You need the latest version of Flash Player.
Enjoy the most vivid content on the web
Watch video without extra features
Interact with applications on your favourite sites
Upgrade now

page complete