By EION BLACKWELL
AAP PNG correspondent
THE governor of Papua New Guinea's Manus Island says
Australia is showing arrogance in failing to consult properly with residents
about the re-opening of an asylum seeker processing centre.
Governor Charlie Benjamin says he has been left in
the dark about construction contracts and a proposed aid package for reopening
the Howard-era facility, despite being told to expect the first boatload of
arrivals by the end of next week.
The Australian defence force has been preparing the
site, on Lombrum Naval base, which was run down following its abandonment in
2004.
"There was an aid package that was going to
come with the asylum seekers coming to Manus ... and from what I heard sometime
next they will be arriving on Manus, but no-one seems to be discussing that package,"
Governor Benjamin told AAP today.
"There was never any understanding that has
been reached with this package so we are still in the dark about Australia
assisting us.
"I understand contracts have been given out
without any consultation with us. In 2001 that is exactly what happened and
Manus missed out on everything and it appears as if the same thing is happening
again. That is arrogance."
In a joint press conference with PNG Prime Minister
Peter O'Neill two weeks ago, Australian Immigration minister Chris Bowen said
he was keen for Manus residents to view Australia as good neighbours.
"And that we leave a benefit and legacy on
Manus Island, recognising that they are being very hospitable to us," he
said.
Mr Benjamin said the island's provincial
administrator, Kulen Homou, and another official were flown to Brisbane last
week for negotiations with Australian officials.
However both officials reported to Mr Benjamin they
were not consulted at the meeting and were instead informed that contracts
linked to Australia's assistance package had already been handed out.
"We have no problem with Australian companies
being considered, because you want a job you would be satisfied with, but we
have tried our best to be involved in this but they have not even consulted
us," Mr Benjamin said.
"I am letting (Prime Minister Peter O'Neill)
know, the PM and his team, the minister of foreign affairs and migration
officials who are negotiating, they probably have not done their job."
Landowners on the island, who have also been left in
the dark, on Wednesday took out a notice in local media informing of their
intention to take legal action in seven days to stop the site reopening.
Spokesperson for one of the landowner groups, Mary
Handen, says she and other traditional landowners have not been consulted by
the two governments and want $45 million in aid and building contracts in
return for use of land.
"If the two governments are not going to get us
involved as key stake holders, then what difference does (the facility) make
for us," she said.
"They might as well have the asylum processing
centre in Australia."
She said she was concerned about the administration
of the site.
"I went home two weeks ago and I got off at the
terminal and the first thing you see is a defence tent right at the end of the
tarmac and their laundry being hanged out right on the tarmac fence.
"When I saw that I saw my home land being
invaded. Things are being whisked through. We don't know who is doing what, who
is approving what."
Mr O'Neill and Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato could
not be reached for comment.
Australia has opened a similar site on Nauru
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