Manus Island Detention Centre To Close
17 August 2016 at 4:45 pm
Manus Island detention centre is set to close as Australia and Papua New Guinea have reportedly reached an agreement.
It was reported in the Guardian on Wednesday that Australian immigration minister, Peter Dutton, had met Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, Peter O’Neill, for talks about closing the Manus Island detention centre.
Following the Port Moresby meeting, O’Neill said a number of options for closing the centre were being canvassed and further announcements would be made soon.
“Both Papua New Guinea and Australia are in agreement that the centre is to be closed,” O’Neill was quoted as saying in a statement.
The Manus Island regional processing centre is set to close, says PNG PM Peter O'Neill. Statement attached. #auspol pic.twitter.com/JxTRAT84N1
— Stephanie Anderson (@stephanieando) August 17, 2016
It comes after the PNG supreme court ordered the closure of the Manus Island processing centre in April.
The court ruled that the centre was illegal.
Speaking at the time federal Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said he would negotiate with the Papua New Guinea Government over demands to close the centre.
“We will work with our PNG partners to address the issues raised by the Supreme Court of PNG,” Dutton said.
“It is also the case that the government has not resiled from its position that people who have attempted to come illegally by boat to Australia and who are now in the Manus facility will not be settled in Australia.”
PNG Prime Minister O’Neill said in April he would immediately ask the Australian Government to make alternative arrangements for the asylum seekers.
“For those that have been deemed to be legitimate refugees, we invite them to live in Papua New Guinea only if they want to be a part of our society and make a contribution to our community,” O’Neill said.
“It is clear that several of these refugees do not want to settle in Papua New Guinea and that is their decision.”
Australian government has been abusing children for years (Look at Heiner Affair etc) why would anyone expect any different? UNTIL they are accountable for the ‘sins (horrors)’ of the past they will keep on perpetuating those horrors. The NFP aka NGO’s and other so called charities have proven themselves to be just as bad as the catholics. I am a ‘Forgotten Australian’ who was abused when in the ‘care’ of mission Australia. No accountability means it continues AND my tax dollars keeps them going…how wrong!