History of the Manus detention centre

THE HISTORY OF THE MANUS ISLAND DETENTION CENTRE

2001: Immigration detention and asylum seeker processing centre established on Manus Island as part of the Howard government's Pacific Solution to move boat arrivals offshore

2003-4: Manus detention centre falls out of use. Government prefers Nauru

2008: Rudd government closes Manus and Nauru detention centres, fulfilling election promise to end offshore system and have asylum seekers processed in Australia

NOV 2012: Gillard government reopens Manus and Nauru centres following surge in asylum seeker boat arrivals

FEB-JULY 2013: UNHCR reports describe living conditions at Manus as "harsh" and below international standards

JULY 2013: Rudd government declares Australia will never again accept asylum seekers arriving via boat, sending them instead to PNG for processing and possible resettlement

SEPT 2013: Cornall Review released on sexual abuse allegations at Manus. It recommends more guard protocols

JAN 2014: The Guardian releases data showing 110 incidents of self-harm, assaults and hunger strikes at Manus over four months

FEB 3 2014: Australian Human Rights Commission launches inquiry into children in immigration detention

FEB 17 2014: Protests from asylum seekers lead to violent riots at Manus centre, with PNG police and locals reportedly attacking detainees

- Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati, 23, is killed and 62 asylum seekers injured

- Government announces inquiry into riots and Berati's death

- Greens demand centre be shut down

MARCH 5 2014: Senate inquiry launched into Manus riots

APRIL 2014: Legality and constitutionality of Manus centre challenged in the High Court of Australia.

MAY 2014: Government report on Manus riot released, noting asylum anger and frustration sparked riots. Identifies a centre worker as allegedly responsible for Berati's death

SEPT 2014: Immigration Minister Scott Morrison indicates Manus will close. Detainees to be sent to Nauru

SEPT 5 2014 : Iranian asylum seeker Hamid Khazaei, 24, dies in a Brisbane hospital after a cut to his foot becomes infected at Manus and he does not receive medical attention in time

DEC 14 2014: Senate inquiry into Berati's death finds government failed to protect asylum seekers and victims should receive compensation

JAN 2015: 300 asylum seekers on Manus embark on hunger strikes and self-mutilation

MAY 2015: PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill describes Manus centre as "very pleasant"

JULY 2015: Media reports a spate of violent crimes at Manus, including the alleged murder of a centre security guard, a machete attack and a gang rape by Australian guards

FEB 2016: Class action involving 600 asylum seekers launched in PNG's Supreme Court to challenge the legality of Manus centre

April 2016: PNG Supreme Court finds Manus centre to be illegal and unconstitutional, forcing Australia to seek other plans for 850 detainees

- PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill confirms the detention centre will be shut down.