Nauru accepts plan, PNG voices doubt

IMMIGRATION Minister Scott Morrison briefed his Nauruan counterpart on the Coalition's fast-tracked offshore processing last night.

IMMIGRATION Minister Scott Morrison briefed his Nauruan counterpart on the Coalition's fast-tracked offshore processing regime last night, as the company engaged in building the Manus Island centre prepared to sharply ramp up its operations.

Mr Morrison met Nauru's Minister for Justice, David Adeang, in his Parliament House office to discuss the new arrangements for offshore processing, including his policy to send boat arrivals to Pacific Solution centres within 48 hours of interception.

Mr Adeang last night reaffirmed Nauru's commitment to working with Australia.

"We look forward to working with you very closely. Nauru and Australia are great friends at many levels, not just the level that we are going to be discussing," he said.

A spokesman for Papua New Guinea's Immigration Department warned that the arrangement PNG had with the previous Labor government stood, and PNG did not want to see the Coalition taking "any shortcuts".

"The understanding reached under the previous administrative arrangements agreed with the former Labor government -- for Australia to undertake preliminary health checks and identity verification and transmission of details of transferees to the PNG authorities in a timely manner before any transfer -- still stands," he said.

"If Australia can undertake all these checks and communicate the details, then rapid transfer within 24 hours is possible."

However, he added: "There will not be any shortcuts."

The international reaction to the Coalition's new drive came as the managing contractor appointed to oversee the construction of the processing centre on Manus Island -- Decmil Australia -- called for expressions of interest from a range of subcontractors to work on the facility.

The company, which has contracts valued at $160 million with the Department of Immigration, is seeking to engage companies for fencing, charter flights, logistics, earthworks, vehicle supply and communication, and security services.

A spokesman for Mr Morrison declined to comment last night on whether contractors had been appointed to expand the facility on Nauru.

"These matters are handled by the department, not the minister," the spokesman said.

"Relevant updates will be provided at regular Operation Sovereign Borders briefings."