The former Salvation Army employee suspected of leading a bashing that killed an asylum seeker has told police he was helping rescue detainees, not attacking them.
Salvation Army management describes the Papua New Guinea national as a strong Christian and a caring, dedicated worker in a submission to the Senate inquiry into the violence at the Manus Island detention centre in February, which claimed the life of Reza Barati.
A review by Australian public servant Robert Cornall into the violence contained accounts from asylum-seeker witnesses claiming a PNG national employed by the Salvation Army, which was providing welfare services, had bashed Mr Barati.
The Salvation Army says the man in question was a very hard worker who got on well with asylum seekers.
In its submission, chief of humanitarian missions services Ben Litchfield says the man had also acted as a team leader on some occasions.
Mr Litchfield says the man told police and Mr Cornall's review he had been trying to help asylum seekers, not attack them on the night of February 18.
The Salvation Army defends its recruitment process following criticism that support workers had been hired without being interviewed and without adequate skills.
Support worker jobs consisted of unskilled activities such as leading recreation activities, operating kiosks and organising phone and internet access, it says.
The organisation rejects claims by former employees that it had covered up assaults on asylum seekers and urges the accusers to provide specific details so incidents can be investigated.
Meanwhile, PNG police have warned Australia's release of Mr Cornall's independent review has hampered their investigation.
Deputy commissioner Simon Kauba dismissed the findings as inconclusive.
Nor could they be relied on to prosecute any criminal case, he said in a statement.
"Our investigations have been frustrated from day one with a complete lack of co-operation from all involved," Mr Kauba said, singling out Australian agencies, service providers, security firm G4S and asylum seekers held at the centre.
Police believe two PNG workers and two expats were responsible for the Iranian asylum seeker's death, but have yet to make any arrests.
Key players had refused to give police statements and made it known they preferred to talk only to Australian lawyers.
Mr Kauba also expressed frustration at the police's inability to get access to injured asylum seekers who were "secretly" transferred to Port Moresby for medical treatment.
A spokesman for Immigration Minister Scott Morrison defended the decision to release the Cornall report.
The PNG attorney-general was given the report two weeks ago.
"During this period no objections were raised," he said.
He reiterated it was a matter for PNG authorities to lay charges and proceed with prosecutions.
The Australian government would provide assistance as needed, including legal help for witnesses.
Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says she is doubtful justice will be served on Mr Barati's killers.
"It's become an utter mess," she told reporters in Canberra.
Share
