Youth Minister under fire as fresh Bimberi allegations emerge

The Canberra Times can reveal a number of incidents have taken place inside the centre in the past three months, including a brawl involving a number of detainees in the centre's kitchen.

New details of past abuses can also be revealed, including a concerning incident in which a young detainee was allegedly choked and the use of disciplinary measures where kids could choose to take a "punch in the guts".

Comments from Bimberi staff contrasted strongly with Ms Stephen-Smith's characterisation of problems as "mostly historical", with one source saying it was a "daily occurrence" to have trouble inside the centre.

However, Ms Stephen-Smith said both recent and past issues had been swiftly and appropriately dealt with.

Employees said they were fed-up with issues such as short staffing, which contributed to making Bimberi a dangerous place for youth workers and detainees.

"Things are now getting to the point at the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre where staff are losing the interest to fight injustices and are simply seeking alternative employment," a source said.

In addition to the kitchen brawl, understood to have taken place in mid-May this year, The Canberra Times is aware of a number of other recent incidents.

These included a detainee escaping and climbing on the centre's roof for a number of hours in late May, and a youth worker getting injured after a detainee tackled them in June.

Sources have also come forward to shed light on new allegations stretching between 2012 and 2014.

Three sources have spoken about an alleged incident in which a staff member choked a young detainee against a wall in retaliation for the child's misbehaviour.

A source also spoke about a disturbing practice where some staff allegedly offered misbehaving detainees the choice between a "punch in the guts" or other forms of punishment.

Amnesty International Australia spokeswoman Roxanne Moore said it was time for Ms Stephen-Smith to take responsibility for issues in her directorate.

"There has been progress on some levels for youth justice in the ACT, but these allegations continue to emerge of children being abused in youth detention.

"The youth detention system across Australia needs an overhaul and leadership nationally from the Prime Minister.

"But ultimately that comes back to the ACT government and [Ms Stephen-Smith] about taking seriously any allegations of child abuse and ensuring independent investigations are undertaken."

Opposition youth spokeswoman Elizabeth Kikkert agreed.

"It is disturbing that Minister Stephen-Smith could so quickly forget her duty to Canberra's vulnerable by waving off allegations as 'historical', and failing to provide the public with a considered and detailed explanation.

"[Her] dismissive attitude toward the allegations inspires little confidence that she and the ACT government have serious plans to make positive interventions in the detention centre."

The Community Services Directorate refused to specifically confirm or deny allegations of choking when asked by The Canberra Times in May.

It said it was generally aware of a number of incidents inside Bimberi, each of which had been responded to.

Ms Stephen-Smith said each of the incidents since May had been resolved calmly with "minimal use of force".

"Young people coming into Bimberi have often experienced significant trauma and many have learned to use violence as a way to express their anger, fear or frustration," she said.

"From time to time incidents will occur and these need to be managed with the safety of all involved as the utmost priority."

When asked whether she would call an inquiry into Bimberi, she said was waiting for the results of the current Human Rights Commission investigation.

"I continue to urge anyone with further information or concerns about incidents or behaviour at Bimberi to provide that information to the Human Rights Commission so that it can be appropriately investigated."