Manus calls for proper delivery of asylum deal

 THE Manus government wants to see a more coordinated approach to planning, scheduling and implementing the Manus package agreed to  between the Papua New Guinean and Australian governments for the operation of the regional processing centre (RPC) for asylum seekers.

“In that agreement, there is a specific clause called Manus Package and under this clause it provides the opportunity for the provincial government to submit to the Australian government the development needs for the people,” Governor Charlie Benjamin said in a statement. 

“These development requests were to be exclusively funded by the Australian government for hosting the processing of asylum seekers on the island.”

Benjamin said the Manus government expected to see the development approach at a more rapid pace but long delays of its implementation had caused questions to be raised on  potential and strength to handle the RPC activity.

He said although the government appreciated the current support, the people’s expectations were different given the magnitude and the enormity of the programme. 

“Manus people demand for greater impact programme, wanting to see greater commitment from the Australian government to improve infrastructure to levels where asylum seekers and Australian service providers do not need to go to Australia to seek similar services; be it health, communication or education.

“We have written to the Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection to waiver Australia’s strong stand to impose rules of 20% counter-funding by the Manus government for all development support under RPC. They have accepted it but reduced the project costing,” Benjamin said.