Australian Embassy
Thailand

Press Release 2013 - Twelfth group to PNG

Twelfth group sent to PNG under regional settlement arrangement

28 August 2013

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today confirmed the transfer to Papua New Guinea (PNG) of a twelfth group of 40 asylum seekers subject to the regional settlement arrangement.

Under the arrangement - which was signed with PNG on July 19 - unauthorised maritime arrivals are sent to PNG for assessment and, if found to be refugees, will be settled there.

“People found not to be refugees may be returned to their home country or a country where they have a right of residence, or held in a transit facility,” a DIAC spokesman said.

The charter flight, with the group of 40 single adult men – consisting of 38 Iranians and two Iraqis – escorted by the Australian Federal Police, DIAC staff, interpreters and medical staff, departed Christmas Island at 10pm (local time) last night.

The group arrived in Manus Province at about 10.30am (local time) and was transferred to the regional processing centre where they will be accommodated while their refugee claims are processed by the PNG Government.

There is no cap on the number of people who can be transferred to PNG and transfers will continue on a regular basis.

Australia is working with PNG to expand the Manus Island regional processing centre, as well as exploring the construction of other regional processing centres in PNG.

“If people are paying thousands and thousands of dollars to a people smuggler, they are buying a ticket to a country other than Australia,” the spokesman said.

 


For further updates, visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Media Centre at: www.newsroom.immi.gov.au 

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