14 Apr 2014

Doubts Australian asylum seekers able to lay complaints

8:01 pm on 14 April 2014

An Australian security company Transfield Services has rejected allegations of drug abuse and serious misconduct among its staff at Australia's asylum seeker detention camp in Papua New Guinea.

The claims have been made in the Australian media.

Transfield Services picked up the security contract for the Manus camp last month following the February riot, during which guards allegedly killed an Iranian man and injured dozens more.

Transfield spokesperson David Jamieson claims the atmosphere has improved considerably since they took over.

Indira Moala reports.

David Jamieson says so far there's only been one reported incident of a security guard behaving inappropriately towards an asylum seeker. The guard, who was immediately dismissed, was not reported by the victim but by his colleagues. Mr Jamieson says his staff are watching each other very closely and are making sure they adhere to company standards. While he doesn't exactly know how asylum seekers can lodge a complaint, he says he is sure they can make their concerns known.

Two staff were investigated for alleged drug use but no substances were found.