HICKY: AUSTRALIA DISHONOURING MANUS AGREEMENTS

Bogia MP John Hickey. Photo/EMTV

The Australian Government has been accused of betraying PNG by not honouring bilateral agreements.

Member for Bogia, John Hickey, raised this concern in parliament .

He was concerned that locals on Manus Island were not participating in spin-off benefits from the Asylum Processing Centre there.

Mr. Hickey asked Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to explain why the people and local businesses in Manus.  were not fully participating in the spin-off benefits created by the establishment of the centre.

He says apart from earthmoving and simple construction works being awarded to Australian companies, basic food and household items were also brought in from Australia.

Prime Minister O’Neill in response said while the Australians were using their own funds to procure their own goods and services, they should utilise the local contractors before engaging outsiders.

He said Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato will head a delegation to Canberra for the ministerial meeting and this will be a matter of priority for discussions there.. EMTV