Nauru unrest; facility not adversely affected

The claims of three asylum-seekers put in a police lock-up after a disturbance at Nauru's offshore processing facility won't be adversely affected, Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said.

A group of up to 15 Iranian and Iraqi asylum-seekers were involved in unrest on Sunday night that left damage to the facility's kitchen, tents and electrical equipment, a Nauru government spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) last week announced the successful transfer of the fifth group of irregular maritime arrivals to Nauru - the first transfer to depart from the mainland after setting off from Darwin.

The group, comprising of 31 men from Sri Lanka, departed Darwin on September 27 on a charter aircraft, escorted by the Australian Federal Police, DIAC staff, interpreters and medical staff. Wilson Security guards first attempted to quell the disturbance, which started in the Topside camp's TV room, before Nauruan Police were called.

Three of those involved in the unrest were taken to a nearby police station and held overnight.

Nauruan Ppolice are investigating, but it's understood the three men are unlikely to be charged and will be let off with a warning. "It was a minor incident but it did cause a bit of damage," the spokesman said.

"It was cosmetic damage though and the facility is still fully functional." However the names of the men will be noted and any recurrence of trouble may result in charges being laid. Bowen said some level of unrest was expected on Nauru. "Obviously if you've got some people that don't want to be in Nauru you can expect some disturbances from time to time," Bowen told ABC radio.

He said the applications for asylum by those involved would not be adversely affected.

Asked directly if that would be the case he said: "No".

Bowen said there was already a "clear policy" of processing people under a no advantage test, meaning they would not be processed any faster than elsewhere in the region.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said the disturbance was an example of Labor's failure on border protection. He said reports of knives being wielded needed to be immediately verified.

"Minister Bowen must explain whether those involved in the violence on Nauru on the weekend were in possession of knives. And if so, how did they get them," Morrison said. "The violence on Nauru is a further example of Labor's hapless implementation of offshore processing on Nauru, consistent with their tradition of failure on our borders." The Australian reported that the Gillard government was behind schedule on its commitment to have 500 asylum-seekers housed on Nauru by the end of September. As of last night 150 Sri Lankan, Iranian and Iraqi asylum-seekers were being housed in the facility's five-man tents, with another planeload expected to arrive later this week. Nauru has the capacity to hold 1500 asylum-seekers once more permanent facilities are built. Courtesy: The Australian