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Victorian Supreme Court approves $70 million Manus Island settlement

At least 1400 current and former Manus Island detainees should receive their share of $70 million in compensation.

a protest on Manus Island
Image of a protest on Manus Island, from Behrouz Boochani on Facebook, August 25, 2017. Source: Facebook

Victorian Supreme Court Justice Cameron Macaulay on Wednesday approved the settlement reached with the Australian government and operators of the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre.

Some detainees had objected to the $70 million in compensation being too low, but Justice Macaulay concluded it was a fair and reasonable amount.

"I am comfortably satisfied that a figure of $70 million to be distributed without deduction of costs amongst participating group members is a fair and reasonable sum," he said.

By Monday 1383 of the 1923 group members in the class action had registered to get their share of the compensation.

More than 160 of the almost 800 men who remain on Manus ahead of the offshore immigration detention centre's closure next month raised objections with the court.

The independent counsel appointed to assist the court, Michael Rush, on Monday said 145 of the 164 objectors have registered to participate in the settlement should it be approved.

Mr Rush said the objections included that the overall sum of $70 million is too low and the settlement does not resolve the ongoing plight of the group members who remain on Manus Island.

No money can be paid until the end of a 28-day appeal period.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



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