In a press conference held yesterday at the Parliament House, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop, and PNG’s, Rimbink Pato, both agreed on the progress of the Asylum Processing Centre in Manus.
Minister Bishop said a key issue discussed was the commitment by Australia and PNG Government in setting up the asylum centre.
She says Australia is keen to assist PNG in all means, to support and improve conditions of the asylum seekers and the lives of the Manus people.
Both Ministers said they were happy with the processing center, but noted minor issues that needed addressing.
Mr. Pato and Ms. Bishop were questioned by the media on several issues surrounding the processing centre, including behavior of refugees, protest marches, human rights violations, and the facilities provided.
In his reply, Minister Pato said, work was progressive through joint efforts by PNG and Australian technical staff.
Ms. Bishop said Australia and PNG were on a mission to combat people smuggling in the region, and the asylum center is a post vested with responsibility.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=YctZUU89fKg%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
