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Australia rejects New Zealand's refugee offer 'at this time'

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the offer to take 150 refugees from Manus Island is still under 'active consideration' by Australia, however, Malcolm Turnbull says the government will not be taking up the offer at this time.

Malcolm Turnbull greets New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern before their meeting in Sydney
Malcolm Turnbull greets New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern before their meeting in Sydney, Australia, November 5 Source: AAP

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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has declined a long-standing New Zealand offer to resettle 150 refugees but kept the door open to further talks on the issue, as the Manus Island detention centre standoff enters its fifth day.

Mr Turnbull held bilateral talks with NZ leader Jacinda Ardern in Sydney on Sunday morning.

He said the US refugee resettlement deal was the priority and then "in the wake of that obviously we can consider other ones".

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the offer to take 150 refugees from Manus Island is still under "active consideration" by Australia, however, Malcolm Turnbull says the government will not be taking up the offer at this time.


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