REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship confirmed on Friday the successful transfer of 39 asylum seekers to Papua New Guinea (PNG), according a writen statement from Australian Embassy in Jakarta. Earlier, the first group of 40 asylum seekers were transferred on Thursday.
Australia intends to stick by its commitment that, as of July 19, no matter where an asylum seeker arrives in Australia by boat, they won’t be settled in Australia. Under the new arrangement signed with PNG, unauthorized arrivals will be sent to PNG for assessment and if found to be refugees, will be settled there. The groups landed in Manus Province will be accommodated while their asylum claims are processed by the PNG Government.
“This first transfer to Manus Island sends the clearest possible message that coming to Australia by boat is not the way to gain Australian residency,” Australia’s Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Tony Burke said during the first transfer on Thursday.
“The transfer should leave no doubt that Australia intends to stick by its commitment that, as of July 19, no matter where an asylum seeker arrives in Australia by boat – they are subject to transfer to Papua New Guinea,” he added.
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