Greens senator Nick McKim deported from PNG for trying to visit asylum-seeker centre

PNG says Nick McKim “ignored protocols” when he “demanded” access to Manus asylum centre.

Greens Senator Nick McKim has been deported from PNG.

Papua New Guinea has defended its decision to deny Greens senator Nick McKim access to an asylum seeker centre, accusing him of placing “undue pressure” on a junior immigration officer and ignoring protocols.

Mr McKim is being deported from Papua New Guinea after trying to visit the centre on Manus Island.

PNG chief migration officer Solomon Kantha said Senator McKim failed to seek formal approval to visit East Lorengau asylum seeker centre, and had instead “demanded” entry.

“It is regrettable that he appears to have attempted to circumvent the processes that are known to him and in doing so, placed undue pressure on a junior ICA (Immigration and Citizenship Authority) officer who was simply performing their duties,” Mr Kantha said.

“Mr McKim has demonstrated a flagrant disregard for PNG and contempt for the organisations he claims to represent.”

Senator McKim earlier said he was being deported from PNG after being denied access to the centre and temporarily having his passport seized.

Mr Kantha said Senator McKim had been issued a visitor visa on entry to the country and was not an official visitor.

“Mr McKim would be aware that all persons seeking entry to a centre must seek appropriate authorisation,” he said. “He has done this in the past and access has been approved. However, in this instance, Mr McKim has simply attended the gates and demanded entry.”

Mr McKim said his passport was confiscated after he tried to enter the East Lorengau facility yesterday and he was later issued a deportation notice.

“(I) Just had a visit from two Immigration Department officials and been instructed to leave PNG,” the Tasmanian senator tweeted.

“I will accept this deportation and leave … tomorrow. But no matter where I am I will never stop fighting to expose the truth about the humanitarian calamity of offshore detention.”

Earlier, the former Tasmanian Greens leader and state cabinet minister said he had briefly had his passport seized.

“I was granted a 12-month multiple entry visa by the PNG government and am here legally,” he said.

“Every kina spent here on refugees has been authorised by the Australian parliament, and there should be accountability on how it is spent. That accountability and truth telling is my job.”

Senator McKim is visiting Manus Island to mark six years since the Rudd government reintroduced offshore detention for asylum seekers who arrived by boat.

“I have always treated police, immigration and all PNG people with respect, and obeyed their laws,” he said.

“Offshore detention is not of their making, and has been very difficult for many of them.”

About 450 asylum seekers remain in PNG and another 350 are being held on Nauru. Human Rights Law Centre executive director Hugh de Krester said: “For six years the Australian government has played politics with the lives of innocent people in our care on Nauru and Manus.

“After so much suffering, the Morrison government must act now to allow these people to rebuild their lives in safety and close the camps permanently.”