Minister denies report on awarding of contracts

THE Government has no jurisdiction and decision-making authority on the awarding of contracts to service providers on Manus, says Minister for Immigration and Border Security Petrus Thomas, pictured.
He was responding yesterday to Australian media reports on the awarding of a contract for service provided under the Regional Resettlement Arrangement on Manus.
“All decisions on contracts and the awarding of contracts for services provided to the residents are funded directly by the Australian government and follow Australia’s procurement rules and process,” Thomas said.
“Service providers have direct contracts funded by the Australian government.
PNG has no say over who is awarded these contracts and subcontracts and the value of these contracts.
“Speculation on the PNG Government’s involvement is false and misleading. Police is welcomed to interview (the company) directors and those making those claims to provide evidence to confirm these allegations.
“The PNG Government has maintained its position that as long as there is one person remaining in Papua New Guinea under the RRA arrangement, the Australian government will continue to provide the financial and necessary support until the last person is resettled or returns home.
“This position has not changed.”
Thomas said the Government’s position was always that there must be landowner and local participation in the provision of services.
“Foreign companies that are awarded contracts are encouraged to engage local companies and recruit local labour,” he said.
“The decision to sub-contract to a local company is up to the service provider.
“The award of contract (to the named company) was done by the Australian government. PNG had no say. However, given concerns raised in the media about the directors of the company, the experience and track record of the company, Papua New Guinea will raise its concerns through the Department of Home Affairs.”
Thomas confirmed that the visa of one of the company directors was cancelled because the company did not recruit local labour and failed to follow the process in dealing with visa matters.