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Australia to hold talks with PNG on Manus refugees Australia to hold talks with PNG on Manus refugees
(about 7 hours later)
Australia and Papua New Guinea will hold urgent talks next week over asylum seekers held at an "illegal" detention centre on Manus Island. Australia and Papua New Guinea will hold urgent talks next week over the fate of asylum seekers held at a detention centre on Manus Island.
Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court ruled this week that the facility was unconstitutional. The talks come after Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court ruled the facility unconstitutional, overturning a deal reached between the governments.
Australia sends asylum seekers there under its offshore processing policy.Australia sends asylum seekers there under its offshore processing policy.
Papua New Guinea's high commissioner to Australia Charles Lepani said the detainees were Australia's responsibility. Papua New Guinea has now said it will close the facility, but it is not clear when that could happen.
Australia has remained opposed to taking any of them. Manus Island was first opened in 2001, and along with Australia's other offshore processing centres, has played a central role in Australia's controversial asylum policy.
Papua New Guinea's high commissioner to Australia Charles Lepani said the detainees were now Australia's responsibility, but Australia has remained opposed to taking any of them.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said on Thursday there was room for them at another detention centre on Nauru.Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said on Thursday there was room for them at another detention centre on Nauru.
"There's capacity [on Nauru] but we're talking with the PNG government about what options are available in PNG and we'll continue those discussions with them," Mr Dutton said on Sky News."There's capacity [on Nauru] but we're talking with the PNG government about what options are available in PNG and we'll continue those discussions with them," Mr Dutton said on Sky News.
This comes after an Iranian asylum seeker held at the Australian-funded detention centre on Nauru set himself on fire on Wednesday.This comes after an Iranian asylum seeker held at the Australian-funded detention centre on Nauru set himself on fire on Wednesday.
His actions were a "political protest" according to the Nauruan government.His actions were a "political protest" according to the Nauruan government.
Mr Dutton said the 23-year old man was in a serious condition and was evacuated to Australia for treatment.Mr Dutton said the 23-year old man was in a serious condition and was evacuated to Australia for treatment.
Nauru is a small Pacific Island nation about 3,000 km (1,800 miles) north-east of Australia.Nauru is a small Pacific Island nation about 3,000 km (1,800 miles) north-east of Australia.
It was previously administered by Australia but gained independence in 1968.It was previously administered by Australia but gained independence in 1968.
Manus Island: a controversial 'solution'Manus Island: a controversial 'solution'
What next for Manus Island asylum-seekers?What next for Manus Island asylum-seekers?
Manus Island: Australia's Guantanamo?Manus Island: Australia's Guantanamo?
Australia's controversial asylum policyAustralia's controversial asylum policy
Mr Dutton said that the man set himself on fire at a settlement outside the detention centre.Mr Dutton said that the man set himself on fire at a settlement outside the detention centre.
"He's in a very serious condition," Mr Dutton said."He's in a very serious condition," Mr Dutton said.
"His outlook is not good at all.""His outlook is not good at all."
He also confirmed that other asylum seekers held on the island had harmed themselves.He also confirmed that other asylum seekers held on the island had harmed themselves.
"What we've been very clear about is that if people come to Australia for medical assistance they'll be returning back to Nauru once that medical assistance has been provided."What we've been very clear about is that if people come to Australia for medical assistance they'll be returning back to Nauru once that medical assistance has been provided.
"We have returned three people back to Nauru from Australia and they have returned because the medical assistance that they sought in Australia has been provided," Mr Dutton said."We have returned three people back to Nauru from Australia and they have returned because the medical assistance that they sought in Australia has been provided," Mr Dutton said.
Representatives from the refugee agency UNHCR were visiting Nauru when the incident occurred, he said.Representatives from the refugee agency UNHCR were visiting Nauru when the incident occurred, he said.
An Iranian asylum seeker was last month fined for trying to kill himself during an attempt to move him and his daughter from the centre on Nauru.An Iranian asylum seeker was last month fined for trying to kill himself during an attempt to move him and his daughter from the centre on Nauru.