“WE are very passionate about social justice and what is happening for humanity,” local resident Trudy Horsburgh said as she stood outside Member for Barker Tony Pasin’s office yesterday raising awareness of the conditions faced on Manus Island.
“People are risking their lives to escape their home countries and are now stuck on an island in a dire situation.”
Sitting outside the office with signs stating #EvacuateNow, the group was among many across the country taking part in the Love Makes A Way vigils to bring recognition to the situation on Manus Island.
“My daughter and I have held other things previously around here about asylum seekers – we just want to make sure these issues do not get put on the back burner,” Ms Horsburgh said.
“Our aim will raise a little more awareness about what is happening on Manus Island so the government sees there are people who are speaking out.”
They have joined a chorus of concern after the Manus Island detention centre was closed three weeks ago after Papua New Guinea’s High Court ruled it was illegal.
More than 400 detainees have refused to leave, citing concerns for their security if they were moved to transit centres.
Speaking with Ms Horsburgh and her family on the issue recently, Mr Pasin last week provided further information from the minister’s office on what is currently happening at the Regional Processing Centre (RPC) on the island.
“PNG has completed the processing of RPC residents on Manus and there are clear pathways ahead,” he said.
According to Mr Pasin, those found to be refugees can settle within PNG as agreed under the arrangement struck between the Australian Government and the Government of Papua New Guinea in 2013.
For those who do not wish to resettle there, the Australian Government has provided alternative pathways, with options to apply for resettlement in the United States or Nauru.
However, those who are failed asylum seekers and are in PNG illegally are being told to return to their country of origin.
While a decision is being made, refugees are able to move to the East Lorengau Refugee Transit Centre or the West Lorengau House and failed asylum seekers to the Hillside Haus.
“Some refugees and failed asylum seekers have already moved and they are comfortably accessing services and supports at these locations,” Mr Pasin said.
“It is important to note that as these people sought to subvert Australia’s laws by paying people smugglers to bring them illegally to Australia by boat, none will ever resettle in Australia.”
