Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
National
Tara Cosoleto

Govt failure led to Manus riot, court told

A security firm's lawyer has blamed the Commonwealth for a riot on Manus in which Reza Berati died. (AAP)

Commonwealth government failures led to a deadly riot at the Manus Island detention centre, a lawyer has told the Victorian Supreme Court.

Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati died and 77 others were injured in the three days of riots from February 16 to 18, 2014.

Former Manus Island security guard Chandra Osborne has brought Supreme Court action against the federal government and security firm G4S, alleging they were warned about increasing violence but still put her at risk.

Ms Osborne is seeking compensation for loss of earnings after she allegedly suffered serious psychiatric injuries as a result of the riots and unsafe working environment.

Counsel representing G4S Australia, Jack Rush QC, said there was no causal link between Ms Osborne's injuries and the actions of the security firm.

In his opening remarks on Tuesday, Mr Rush told the Supreme Court G4S was acting as agents of the Commonwealth and therefore should be entitled to indemnity.

Mr Rush said G4S had no control over the Manus Island infrastructure and held no powers to arrest or search detainees.

He said in the weeks leading up to the riot, G4S managers contacted the Commonwealth about rising tensions and the need for fences to be improved.

Emails shown to the court on Tuesday outlined G4S' requests for an additional 100 security guards at the site, warning there was increasing intelligence detainees would try to push down fences.

The emails noted detainees understood they would not be brought to Australia, but they wanted more clarity around resettlement.

Mr Rush said the Commonwealth did not communicate with the detainees, which led to the increased tensions.

"It was a complete failure of the Commonwealth to identify what was going on in the centre," Mr Rush told the court.

The Commonwealth will give its opening remarks on Tuesday afternoon.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.