Australia refuses to acknowledge ruling

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Australia’s government has denied a request by Papua New Guinea’s Chief Justice to front up about resettling people held on Manus Island.

The Supreme Court ruled in April that detaining asylum seekers on Manus was illegal, leaving it incumbent on both PNG and Australian governments to take steps to comply with the court decision.

About 850 men are still residing at the processing centre on Manus, where they were sent by Australia in the last three years.

Giving directions on how to enforce the ruling, the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia on Tuesday requested the Australian government come forward with who is in charge of the Manus centre to indicate Australia’s plans for resettlement of the detainees.

However, Canberra had responded that it was not a party to the case.

A Department of Immigration spokeswoman said that as the matter was before the court, it was not appropriate to comment.

Meanwhile, detainee advocates had expressed concern that moves by the court to order a resettlement plan could further delay any release or compensation. - RNZI