Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has ordered an alcohol ban and drug testing of workers at the Australian-run Manus Island asylum-seeker detention centre.
Peter O’Neill in a statement said the “company in charge of contract personal” was failing to “maintain discipline” and there will now be “zero tolerance”.
Last month three Australian staff from sub-contractor Wilson security were accused of the alleged sexual assault of a local woman in the centre’s accommodation buildings.
Australian company Transfield Services operates the regional processing centre.
“We do not have a clear picture of what happened on the night of the alleged assault as the matter is under investigation, but what we do know is that alcohol played a part in what did transpire,” Mr O’Neill said in a statement.
“This is not the first time we have heard of inappropriate expatriate behaviour as a result of alcohol consumption, and this has to stop.
“The regional processing centre is a dry facility and staff are not permitted to consume alcohol while they are posted to the centre.”
The three men were removed from PNG by Transfield with the co-operation of the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection before police could investigate.
Prime minister Peter O’Neill has demanded the three be returned to PNG.
Mr O’Neill ordered the chief migration officer to “impose stricter controls” on Manus.
“The company in charge of contract personnel have not maintained discipline. Staff will now be subject to alcohol and drug testing for which there will be zero tolerance,” Mr O’Neill said.
“Any staff who break the rules and are found to consume alcohol or drugs will be dismissed.
“The foreign workers at the RPC have signed agreements as part of their employment that come with strict conditions.”
Transfield Services and the Department of Immigration has been contacted for comment.
Manus provincial police commander Alex N’Drasal has blamed rising crime on the island on locals working for centre-operator Transfield consuming home-brew alcohol and drugs.
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