PNG Foreign Minister Pato re-assures Asylum Seekers safety

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigrations, Hon. Rimbink Pato, OBE, LLB, MP has reaffirmed that the safety of Asylum Seekers at the Manus Regional Processing Centre (MRPC) is of paramount concern for the Government of Papua New Guinea.
Minister Pato made this point during discussion with his counterpart, Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Hon. Peter Dutton, MP, during their recent meeting in Port Moresby.
The Minister said that the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Services Authority (PNGICSA), and the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection, had collaboratively addressed safety issues in returning normalcy to the MRPC following the recent protest. He said both organizations continue to work together on the Regional Resettlement Arrangement for the Asylum Seekers.
"We are proceeding with the interim settlement arrangements for Asylum Seekers and aim to conduct public awareness campaign on refugee settlement. “This will include detail on how refugee settlement can be best implemented in the Papua New Guinea context before redrafting the National Refugee Settlement Policy for Cabinet's endorsement".
Minister Pato noted that thirty (30) more asylum seekers have been processed, bringing the total to eighty (80) that have been determined to be resettled in PNG once the Refugee Settlement Policy is in place.
He further added that the transition to resettlement has commenced after nine (9) asylum seekers qualified their full refugee status, left the processing centre at Lombrum to the East Lorengau Transit Centre for further resettlement to other provinces.
During their discussions, Minister Pato also sought an update from his counterpart on progress in relation to the long-standing request for Australia to provide travel access to Papua New Guinean citizens on a similar basis that it extends to its New Zealand neighbours. However, Minister Dutton has advised that the interim report was pending outcomes of further consultation.
This was the first formal meeting between the two ministers since Minister Dutton was appointed to the role on 24 December last year, though Minister Pato said the two had held regular telephone discussions.
“Our two governments had a very strong working relationship on border and immigration issues with Scott Morrison as Minister, and I know this will continue with Peter Dutton.”