Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Reynolds, the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs. The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Rt Hon. James Marape, said today he would like to see 'the full closure of the entire asylum processes'. Prime Minister Marape has previously stated he wanted it to happen 'as soon as possible'. Can the minister detail what process the government will put in place to expedite a durable solution for refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Keneally for that question. I just note, too, that I thank her for my first question as the Minister for Defence in this capacity. I would also acknowledge that there is no greater responsibility for any minister than this portfolio and the safety and security of our nation, and I look forward to working with all in this chamber and the other on all of these issues.

In relation to the question on the meeting with the Papua New Guinean Prime Minister and also the ministers, I can confirm that we had a very productive meeting this morning with the Prime Minister and his ministers. We had a very productive discussion with them. The governor of Manus was in attendance and, again, we had a discussion about the future of Manus and about the base and also the facility. We agreed that we will continue to work together to further develop the facilities there with a view to new employment opportunities for those on Manus Island and for others. So it was a very productive discussion, and we discussed all aspects of the facilities there and how we move forward together in relation to those facilities.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, a supplementary question.

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Home Affairs recently said that he wants the number of people 'down to zero'. Today it has been reported that taxpayers could fund resettlement packages to encourage refugees to live in Papua New Guinea. Can the minister advise how these resettlement packages will work, and when will the government have the number of people on Manus down to zero?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for that question. That issue was discussed in further detail with the ministers, but further detail of that I'll have to take on notice because those discussions are still ongoing.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, a final supplementary question?

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given the government's failure to find a durable solution over the past six years, and that people are now being held indefinitely on Manus in detention, what backup plan is in place if the Papua New Guinean government withdraws its support for the Manus regional processing centre?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Keneally for that question. I would highlight firstly that nobody is in detention on Manus Island. I would highlight again that it wasn't those on this side who put people into detention. That was solely those on the other side—your problem. We have spent the last six years working cooperatively with the Papua New Guinean government, and again I extend our thanks for the way in which they have engaged on this issue. There is nobody in detention on Manus Island.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, on a point of order?

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister points out that people have been there for six years. If she doesn't want to characterise them as being in detention, she can at least tell us when they are going to be taken—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, please resume your seat. That is a debating point, not a point of order on the relevance of the answer.

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, there is nobody in detention there. The reason anybody was on that island is your responsibility. Australia takes its international obligations seriously, and we provide protection to refugees consistent with those obligations, which are set out in statutory refugee frameworks.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Keneally, on a point of order?

Kristina Keneally (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are only 15 seconds left and the minister has not gone close to answering the question. What backup plan is in place if the Papua New Guinea government withdraws its support for the RPC on Manus?

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You have restated part of the question. The minister is being directly relevant to other parts of the question you asked. I cannot instruct the minister on how to answer a question. The minister is being directly relevant to part of the question asked.

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You might not like my answer because you're the one who is responsible for the mess that we are cleaning up. However, Australia, along with the United States of America and Canada, collectively offer the majority of global resettlement places every year.