Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr O’Neill this afternoon, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the countries were working together to expedite processing at the Manus Island detention centre.
“I was extremely gratified to have from Peter this morning his assurance that the people and government of PNG are committed to staying the course,” he said.
Prime Minister O’Neill said processing was underway at the centre.
“The interviews and the processing of the refugee people at Manus is now taking place as we speak,” he said.
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“… Those who are wanting to be resettled, will be resettled under our legislative structure.”
Mr O’Neill said not all refugees would be resettled in Papua New Guinea, stating that “we’ll take as much as we can”.
He said the country would be calling on their neighbours in the region to take refugees.
Mr Abbott said the “whole resettlement issue” was difficult for Papua New Guinea.
“I accept that it might be hard for PNG to take all of them [refugees],” he said.
“… We’re continuing to work with other countries in our region to ensure that people don’t come to Australia.”
Mr Abbott also announced that the two countries would hold prime ministerial summits annually.
