I have seen Prime Minister O’Neill’s media release and agree with his conclusion that Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) role in regional processing and resettlement has stopped many people from losing their lives at sea.
I want to thank Prime Minister O’Neill for PNG’s continued support for this effort.
As I have said, and as the Australian Government has consistently acted, we will work with our PNG partners to address the issues raised by the Supreme Court of PNG.
It is also the case that the Government has not resiled from its position that people who have attempted to come illegally by boat to Australia and who are now in the Manus facility will not be settled in Australia.
We will continue discussions with the PNG Government to resolve these matters.