Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs' homes and offices after numerous federal politicians reported growing worries about threats. The review follows an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines, who has lost both legs but remains in stable condition in hospital, her husband has said. Separately, Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American from a Russian jail while meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Former child detainees have also described abuse they allege they suffered within the youth detention system.
Former youth detainees across Australia describe alleged sexual abuse, often beginning with invasive strip-searches and isolation in cells. Psychiatrist Sivasankaran Balaratnasingam says most reported abuse involves guards and custodial officers, often at night. Dozens of people have joined a class action alleging abuse at Melbourne's Parkville youth justice centre, with allegations dating back 50 years. Many survivors are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and advocates say the legal process is slow and adds to their trauma.
A man now in his 30s, identified as Aaron, alleges that a youth justice officer he trusted at Rangeview detention centre in Perth sexually abused him when he was 12. Aaron's lawyer, Peter Subramaniam, says he is preparing to sue the Western Australian government for alleged negligence and breach of duty of care. Aaron says he was digitally penetrated and later raped by the same guard in the early 2000s, and also alleges assault at Banksia Hill in 2005, which is not part of the legal action.
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Former detainees at Canberra's Quamby and Bimberi youth detention centres allege they were sexually abused by guard Brett Dennis, who died by suicide in 2017. At least 12 former detainees between 2003 and 2013 make similar allegations. Some have lodged civil claims naming the ACT government as a defendant. Lawyers say the government has been slow to provide records. The government says it denies knowing of any risk posed by Dennis and says it is working to provide records as quickly as possible.
Queensland's ombudsman, Anthony Reilly, has backed away from calling for the Wacol youth remand centre to close. His latest report says the centre is not suitable for children, but he considers it better than holding them in police watch houses. He is concerned that new bail laws could lead to more young people being detained. Sisters Inside chief executive Debbie Kilroy called the backdown a gutless retreat.
A Queensland detention services inspector says a remand centre built for adults should keep holding children, because youth detention centres may lack capacity under proposed breach bail and jail laws. Anthony Reilly, who is also the state ombudsman, said the Wacol Youth Remand Centre is not suitable for children but is better than police watch houses. The average number of children there each day rose from 32 to 54 by August 2026. Premier David Crisafulli said his government had increased capacity by 20 per cent and would keep investing in facilities and early intervention.
