Aust, PNG talk on resettlement, Manus detainees won't go to Nauru says Dutton

Senior officials from the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia Wednesday met to discuss the regional resettlement arrangements following the April 26, ruling by the Supreme Court on refugees and ongoing cooperation to counter people smuggling within the region.

Australia and Papua New Guinea undertook to work cooperatively to ensure the Papua New Guinea Government was compliant with the Supreme Court decision. To that end, the two Governments agreed to continue to work together on a roadmap that would ensure the Papua New Guinea Government’s compliance with the Court’s orders.

In a joint statement the two Governments have committed to continue to work closely together and meet regularly in the coming weeks in support of achieving the outcomes.

Regional cooperation remains vital to combating the scourge of people smuggling and the resulting tragic loss of life of people at sea. Papua New Guinea and Australia have a long history of cooperation on many fronts and the current discussions are continuing in this spirit.

Meanwhile, Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has ruled out sending asylum seekers from the Manus Island detention centre to Nauru.

The Papua New Guinea centre's future was cast into doubt by a PNG Supreme Court ruling it was illegal and the country's government has flagged it wants to close it down.

Asked if hundreds of asylum seekers could be sent to Nauru, Dutton told ABC Radio: "that's not something we consider an appropriate outcome."
Source: SBS