The US private prison company running Australian immigration detention centres has been penalised by the government after a dozen escapes, but the head of the Australian Border Force has declined to reveal the amount of the fine.
In a Senate estimates hearing, ABF Commissioner Gavan Reynolds confirmed there had been “charge events” following 12 escapes from facilities run by MTC and its local subsidiary Secure Journeys since May last year. However, he said legal advice prevented him from discussing the “quanta” due to the commercial-in-confidence nature of the contract.
The home affairs department also confirmed that MTC’s US director was summoned for a secret meeting in September 2025 after a series of security failures, including the escape of high-risk detainees and a stabbing that hospitalised staff. Home Affairs Secretary Stephanie Foster said the meeting was to ensure Secure Journeys understood the seriousness of meeting contract terms.
Greens Senator David Shoebridge questioned why the fine amount could not be revealed, asking whether it was because it was embarrassingly small or large. Reynolds said he would seek further legal advice.
An investigation by Guardian Australia revealed multiple incidents, including detainees missing medical appointments due to staff shortages, two staff members hospitalised with smoke inhalation after a fire at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, and a lack of respiratory equipment and training. An internal government investigation warned that MTC’s “minimalist staffing model” was putting workers and detainees at risk.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said the revelations exposed “a system in crisis”, while a departmental source said it was a “sinking ship” and that no deaths so far was “sheer luck”.
