Three Fijian asylum seekers remain on the roof at the Villawood detention centre, this (Wednesday) morning, for the third day.
One of the three, Clare, was scheduled to be removed on Monday but climbed onto the roof when Serco guards came to take her to the airport.
Eight guards yesterday (Tuesday) tried to remove her husband, but retreated when Clare threatened to jump off the roof.
In a reckless manoeuvre overnight, Serco used axes to smash their way into the ceiling of the building where Clare maintains her roof-top protest.
Immigration and Serco have refused to call the police to provide professional negotiators to the detention centre, ignoring the recommendations from the coronial inquest into the death of Josepha Raulini who jumped to his death from the same building in 2010.
Serco has evacuated and cordoned off the building and are preventing other detainees from providing food and water.
“The Immigration Department is creating the same conditions that led to tragedy in 2010. The crude attempt to break onto the roof last night endangered everyone on the roof.
“The department could defuse the situation by removing the threat of deportation. The department is aware of legal moves on behalf of the married couple.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 725 713
