Immigration detainee not given new food because maggots ‘just on the vegetables’, report finds

Advocates say ombudsman’s findings lay bare ‘inhumane’ treatment in Australia’s detention centres

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An immigration detainee served a contaminated meal was not offered an alternative because the maggots were “just on the vegetables”, a report by the federal watchdog has found.

The claims by the commonwealth ombudsman – which are denied by the Australian Border Force – come in a report into conditions inside federal detention centres as part of Australia’s obligations under a UN anti-torture treaty – the optional protocol to the convention against torture (Opcat).

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