Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I can confirm the government of Papua New Guinea has now closed the Manus regional processing centre. I am advised that all residents have now relocated to alternative accommodation, and the Australian government welcomes this development. Residents were told in May of this year that the regional processing centre would be closing on 31 October. They were advised that refugees could relocate to the East Lorengau Refugee Transit Centre or West Lorengau Haus, and that nonrefugees could relocate to Hillside Haus. The alternative accommodation provides residents with food, water and medical services. These services have been provided since 31 October. The Prime Minister of PNG has advised that the facilities at the new accommodation are better than previous facilities.

The Turnbull government has made it very, very clear that these men will not be coming to Australia. There are, however, a number of options available to them. Those found to be refugees can resettle within PNG under the agreement put together by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in 2013. They can also apply for resettlement to the United States of America, or, alternatively, they can apply to move to Nauru. Failed asylum seekers who are in PNG illegally are encouraged to return to their country of origin, as hundreds have already done.

One thing we cannot do is allow those who have paid people smugglers, who have subverted our laws, to deliver backdoor paths for non-genuine refugees to enter Australia. The Turnbull government takes a very, very strong stance in relation to this matter, and we will not allow our borders to be handed over to the people smugglers.