Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in writing, on 04 December 2017:

What is the Government's position on the statement by the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 3 November 2017, specifically (a) sentence one in paragraph two, (b) sentence one in paragraph three, and (c) sentence one in paragraph five. (see http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22348& LangID=E)

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable member's question is:

(a) The government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is responsible for managing arrangements with respect to residents of the former Manus Regional Processing Centre (RPC).

PNG has closed the Manus RPC. PNG has completed the processing of RPC residents and there are clear pathways ahead of them.

For refugees, accommodation options and services are available at the East Lorengau Refugee Transit Centre (ELRTC) and West Lorengau Haus (WLH). Amenities at these sites include accommodation, modest living allowances to purchase items in the local community, potable water, security (access control), access to cooking and laundry amenities, case management support, and garrison services – including site maintenance and cleaning.

For persons found not to be a refugee, accommodation and services are available at Hillside Haus. Amenities at Hillside Haus include dormitory style beds and communal bathrooms, air conditioning, laundry facilities, fencing and security, communal spaces, dedicated sewage facilities, potable water and catered food, case management support, and garrison services – including site maintenance and cleaning.

(b) The Government of PNG is responsible for managing regional processing arrangements, assessing the refugee status of unauthorised maritime arrivals transferred to PNG in accordance with PNG domestic law, noting PNG is party to the Refugees Convention. Relevantly, PNG has committed to treating people transferred with dignity and respect and in accordance with relevant human rights standards.

(c) The Governments of Nauru and PNG are responsible for managing regional processing arrangements in their countries.

Persons residing in Nauru and PNG are subject to their respective domestic laws and processes. The Nauru RPC is an open centre and residents are not detained.