I am deeply concerned about the health and wellbeing and safety of the 600 asylum seekers who remain at Manus Island Regional Processing Centre.
Having already been subjected to the horror of years of indefinite detention, these men are now facing great uncertainty while the Government fails to answer basic questions about future arrangements.It is incumbent on the Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to ensure refugees have access to essential services including security, health and welfare services.
The Turnbull Government has had five years to secure a third-country resettlement solution and has known of the closure of Manus Island for more than six months.
Its time for Mr Dutton to explain exactly how he is going to ensure that remaining asylum seekers will continue to have their basic human needs met and their safety guaranteed.
The Minister also needs to make clear the Governments resettlement plan for the remaining asylum seekers who are not resettled as part of Australias agreement with the United States.
Today, I have written to the Minister urging him to do exactly these things.
