Clear as many refugees as possible out of Manus ‘hellhole’: PNG MP

Manus MP Job Pomat says he wants as many asylum-seekers and refugees as possible to be sent to Australia under the medivac bill.

‘Because of this asylum thing, Manus has been branded as a hellhole’ ... PNG Speaker and Manus island MP Job Pomat. Picture: Brian Cassey.

Manus MP Job Pomat says he wants as many asylum-seekers and refugees as possible to be sent from the island to Australia under the Labor-backed medivac bill, declaring offshore processing had transformed his home into a “hellhole” in the eyes of foreigners.

Australian officials were yesterday still trying to determine the impact of the medivac bill, passed against the wishes of the government, on Australia’s refugee resettlement deal with Papua New Guinea struck by Kevin Rudd.

PNG Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas told The Australian yesterday he was yet to receive a briefing on the law from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, and was unable to comment on its application in PNG.

But Mr Pomat — who is also the Speaker of PNG’s parliament and acting governor-general — said he hoped the medivac bill could be used to clear out a significant number of the 582 refugees and asylum-seekers on Manus.

“Because of this asylum thing, Manus has been branded as a hellhole,” Mr Pomat said.

“Manus is a peaceful island in Papua New Guinea. I am happy that they are going to go to Australia, because that is the place they want to go. If they have to go there and get medical attention in Australia, that’s good for them.”

The Australian government is concerned the medivac bill, backed by Labor, the Greens and independents, could undermine the PNG resettlement deal struck by Mr Rudd when Labor was last in government. Nearly 60 refugees have already been permanently resettled in PNG.

But the Morrison government is worried those resettled refugees could now be eligible to be sent to Australia on the advice of doctors, effectively undermining the PNG resettlement deal.

Labor immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann rejected the possibility of already resettled refugees being transferred to Australia.

“The legislation applies to people currently in Manus and Nauru who have languished in indefinite detention,” he told The Australian. “This legislation does not apply to refugees who have chosen to permanently resettle in third-country resettlement options.”

The Australian has been told that a number of those already resettled in PNG have indicated they will seek transfer to Australia under the new law and have “re-engaged with the health and settlement providers”.

Speaking on Sky News earlier this month, Immigration Minister David Coleman said “about 60” people being held on Manus Island had opted to be permanently resettled in PNG. The Australian understands the exact figure is 58.

Australia provides assistance to refugees resettled in PNG including income, rental, employment and training support which usually lasts for 12 months at a cost of about $17,000.