PNG defies deadline for closure of Manus
SYDNEY Papua New Guinea has reportedly told the Australian government it will not be allowed to walk away from the asylum seekers currently held in the Manus Island Detention Centre.
The country’s newly appointed Attorney-General Davis Steven told the ABC his government had not agreed to close the camps by the end of October.
That contradicts an agreement between the nations announced by Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton in July.
‘‘I am the chief legal adviser to government. I have not sighted a formal document that confirms that date has been mutually agreed,’’ Steven said.
Decommissioning of the Manus camp has been under way for more than a month. Tensions have grown at the compound as water and electricity have been cut off to some areas.
Iranian refugee Hamed Shamshiripour took his own life in a nearby township earlier this month – right before he was due to be moved from detention into the community.
Some detainees are expected to be resettled in the United States as part of a people-swap deal beginning in October.
However, Steven expressed concern that PNG would have to foot the bill for the remaining detainees after Australia pulled out.
‘‘The PNG government is not going to allow a situation where Australia has withdrawn and leaves behind all these international fugitives who they expect us to carry on our steam,’’ he said.
A spokesman for Dutton said the department was aware of Steven’s statements.
‘‘Australia remains committed to working with Papua New Guinea toward the closure of the Manus Regional Processing Centre,’’ the spokesman said.
‘‘We look forward to further discussions with the PNG government over coming days and weeks.’’
The spokesman declined to comment on whether the October deadline had been agreed upon or whether Australia would honour a request by Steven to wait until PNG’s National Executive Council meets again before taking further action. AAP REUTERS