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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/10/manus-inquiry-mixed-messages-government-knowledge-png-contractors
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Manus inquiry: mixed messages on knowledge of PNG contractors | Manus inquiry: mixed messages on knowledge of PNG contractors |
| (2 months later) | |
| The Department of Immigration said it did not know which local PNG companies were subcontractors at the Manus Island detention centre, before conceding it had requested information about the firms in 2012, during a fraught first session of the Senate inquiry into February’s unrest at the centre. | The Department of Immigration said it did not know which local PNG companies were subcontractors at the Manus Island detention centre, before conceding it had requested information about the firms in 2012, during a fraught first session of the Senate inquiry into February’s unrest at the centre. |
| A review commissioned by the federal government found local detention centre staff were partly responsible for the violence on Manus in February, which resulted in the death of asylum seeker Reza Barati. | |
| Questioned by the Greens immigration spokeswoman, Sarah Hanson-Young, immigration department secretary Martin Bowles told the inquiry he did not know how many local subcontractors were being used in the detention centre, although the department had the ability to find out under its contract with the previous detention centre manager, G4S. | Questioned by the Greens immigration spokeswoman, Sarah Hanson-Young, immigration department secretary Martin Bowles told the inquiry he did not know how many local subcontractors were being used in the detention centre, although the department had the ability to find out under its contract with the previous detention centre manager, G4S. |
| “We have the ability to ask [about subcontractors],” Bowles said. “We have not asked.” | “We have the ability to ask [about subcontractors],” Bowles said. “We have not asked.” |
| Bowles said it was not the responsibility of the department to “go down and tell them [G4S] how to do their business”. | Bowles said it was not the responsibility of the department to “go down and tell them [G4S] how to do their business”. |
| But in a later exchange, the inquiry was presented with a document showing that in 2012 G4S and the department had discussed a local security provider, Loda, which was offered a contract inside the centre. | But in a later exchange, the inquiry was presented with a document showing that in 2012 G4S and the department had discussed a local security provider, Loda, which was offered a contract inside the centre. |
| The managing director of immigration services for G4S Australia, Chris Manning, emailed the department to express its satisfaction at the arrangement, as Loda employed people from two local clans. The department then responded by asking for details of the contract once it was signed. | The managing director of immigration services for G4S Australia, Chris Manning, emailed the department to express its satisfaction at the arrangement, as Loda employed people from two local clans. The department then responded by asking for details of the contract once it was signed. |
| The inquiry heard that the number of local staff employed in the centre was expected to fall since the violence in February. At the time of the violence about 60% of staff members were PNG nationals. G4S’s contract required at least 50% local employment. | The inquiry heard that the number of local staff employed in the centre was expected to fall since the violence in February. At the time of the violence about 60% of staff members were PNG nationals. G4S’s contract required at least 50% local employment. |
| Bowles told the inquiry the new detention centre manager, Transfield Services, was required to employ only 45% locals. | Bowles told the inquiry the new detention centre manager, Transfield Services, was required to employ only 45% locals. |
| During many exchanges the three members of the department giving evidence, including Ken Douglas of the offshore detention and returns task group and deputy department secretary Mark McCormack, told the inquiry they could not provide detailed responses due to criminal investigations that were under way. Many questions – particularly around security provision – were best answered by G4S personnel, they said. | During many exchanges the three members of the department giving evidence, including Ken Douglas of the offshore detention and returns task group and deputy department secretary Mark McCormack, told the inquiry they could not provide detailed responses due to criminal investigations that were under way. Many questions – particularly around security provision – were best answered by G4S personnel, they said. |
| Bowles conceded he had “skim read” the detailed G4S submission to the inquiry, which says requests for tighter security, including the improvement of the perimeter fence at the site, were ignored by the department. | Bowles conceded he had “skim read” the detailed G4S submission to the inquiry, which says requests for tighter security, including the improvement of the perimeter fence at the site, were ignored by the department. |
| The submission shows that on four occasions between October and January G4S wrote to the department requesting improved fencing. | The submission shows that on four occasions between October and January G4S wrote to the department requesting improved fencing. |
| Bowles conceded that at the time of the unrest, the fence – which was breached from the outside by PNG police and locals who are alleged to have assaulted asylum seekers – had not been upgraded. | Bowles conceded that at the time of the unrest, the fence – which was breached from the outside by PNG police and locals who are alleged to have assaulted asylum seekers – had not been upgraded. |
| The department rejected claims that no asylum seekers had had their refugee claims processed on the island at the time of the unrest. Bowles said 892 had been interviewed at the time of the unrest, but other submissions say these interviews were not part of the formal refugee determination process. At the time of the unrest no asylum seekers had had their claims processed. | The department rejected claims that no asylum seekers had had their refugee claims processed on the island at the time of the unrest. Bowles said 892 had been interviewed at the time of the unrest, but other submissions say these interviews were not part of the formal refugee determination process. At the time of the unrest no asylum seekers had had their claims processed. |
| The inquiry continues. | The inquiry continues. |