No more detention centre in Manus, says Morrison

Posted on The National

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison, pictured, says Australians must understand that there is no detention centre in Manus.
He said Australia and PNG had been working together to address service arrangements as well as the security contract issues which had been raised.
“That has been a process we’ve been working through for some time. The accommodation facility in Lorengau which now accommodates about 300 people (has) been reduced from 1353,” he said.
“We are working with the PNG government in terms of the service arrangement to continue for those who continue to be residents of Manus. It’s important that Australians are no longer told that somehow, there is a detention centre operating on Manus Island.”
He said “substantial progress” had been made.
A tender process on the contract had been completed to allow a new service-provider to step up.
Prime Minister James Marape said people were living freely on Manus and some had moved to Port Moresby for medical reasons.
“I’ve expressed clearly to Minister Peter Dutton that we need to establish a schedule and timetable towards the full closure of the entire asylum processes,” he said.
“PNG has always stepped in to assist Australia in times of need, as you have always done to us also. We will ensure that we have a mutually workable timetable and programme that is healthy for all of us, but more importantly, healthy for those people who have been part of us in Manus and now in PNG.”
Marape said some were classified as refugees and the International Convention of Refugees and Resettlement would apply.

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