Vietnamese man on the run in Perth
A Vietnamese man is still on the run after escaping from Serco guards at Perth Airport while he was being deported, but is not believed to be a danger to the community.
The man fled while under escort at the departures check-in area on Saturday morning.
Australian Federal Police officers, WA Police and Serco staff searched for the man, but could not find him.
A spokesman for Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison said today that efforts were continuing to locate the man, who is not known to be a threat to the public.
“The department’s detention services provider will investigate the details of the incident,” he said.
Mr Morrison was concerned about the incident and asked to be kept regularly updated on the progress of the search, the spokesman said.
The department’s contract with Serco has clauses regarding underperformance, which may include financial abatements.
“Following the investigation, the department will consider under the contract provisions what further action should be taken,” the spokesman said.
It is understood the man had travelled to Australia by boat illegally.
In mid-January Federal Immigration Minister Scott Morrison made his anger clear after a spate of breakouts from Yongah Hill immigration centre in Northam.
Mr Morrison said penalties written into Serco's contract would apply.
A Vietnamese detainee escaped from Northam's Yongah Hill facility in late January and was recaptured soon afterwards.
It came just days after four males escaped from the immigration centre and put further pressure on Serco over its security record.
