Iranian refugee loses court battle against government over mental injuries caused by immigration detentionTopic:Refugees1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 5:00amIranian-born Payam Saadat was detained in detention centres in South Australia and Western Australia. (ABC News)In short: A Howard-era asylum seeker has failed in a bid to sue the federal government for mental health injuries caused by five years of immigration detention.The man was detained in Australia from 2000 to 2005 and launched his claim in 2021. The trial was seen as a test case for dozens of other refugees who were detained under similar circumstances.abc.net.au/news/judgement-in-case-of-refugee-who-sued-federal-government/105271970Link copiedShareShare articleAn Iranian refugee has failed in a bid to sue the federal government for mental health injuries caused by five years of immigration detention.The trial in South Australia's Supreme Court was seen as a test case for dozens of other refugees who were detained under similar circumstances.Payam Saadat was held in immigration detention in Western Australia and then South Australia after arriving on Ashmore Reef in 2000.The trial heard Mr Saadat fled Iran where he had been detained, tortured and physically abused before seeking asylum in Australia.His lawyer argued during the trial that the government knew, or should have known, that he was suffering from or vulnerable to a psychiatric illness either caused or made worse by his immigration detention.Mr Saadat launched legal action against the Commonwealth in 2021. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)Mr Saadat arrived in Australia after a 29-day journey by boat to Ashmore Reef.A Howard-era asylum seeker, Mr Saadat was detained on mainland Australia, first at Curtin in Western Australia from 2000 to 2002, and then at Baxter detention centre in South Australia, for almost three years.In 2021, he launched a case against the federal government over mental injuries he alleged he suffered while he was held in detention.Protesters outside the Baxter detention centre, where Mr Saadat was detained. (Supplied: State Library SA/John Immig)The matter was regarded as a "test case" because Mr Saadat was the first of more than 60 immigration detainees with claims against the Commonwealth and two private companies contracted to run detention centres in the state.His statement of claim against the government asserted that if he was not suffering a mental illness when he arrived at Baxter, he developed one there – a chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 5:00am, updated 18m ago18 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 6:13amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)If you need someone to talk to, call:Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36Headspace on 1800 650 890QLife on 1800 184 527Top StoriesNationals leader faces Canavan challenge as Taylor confirms he'll contest Liberal leadershipLIVEPhoto shows Matt Canavan, in side profile, grimaces slightly during a press conferenceAustralia's political conclave theatrics feel blokey, but the future is femaleAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Sussan LeyErin Patterson was building Lego hours after serving deadly meal, court hearsTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A close up photo of Erin Patterson looking over her shoulder wearing glases.China criticises Australia over joint exercises in South China SeaTopic:Defence and National SecurityPhoto shows A Philippine Navy AW159 helicopter with the the HMAS Sydney in the background. 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