Australia rejects claims of cover-up on Manus

The Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young says, things are getting out of hand at the Immigration centre on Manus, and needs an explanation from the Australian Government.

AAP reported that Mr Knight said PNG police were investigating separate claims that three Australian workers at the centre were involved in the gang rape of a local woman.

Yesterday, former prime minister and one of the founding leaders of independent PNG, Sir Michael Somare, said PNG should not have agreed to host the Australian-run immigration detention centre on Manus Island.

The alleged victim had made an official complaint to police on Wednesday morning and supplied some evidence.

“I believe [Mr N’Drasal] is fed up with playing around and has told them if those three are not flown back to Manus by Thursday he will charge the managers with obstruction of justice”.

He said the alleged sexual assault adds to an already tense environment on the island, amid concern by locals about imported Australian labour, wage disparity and environmental pollution from the centre.

In a later statement the department said it has “co-operated fully with PNG police on this matter and will continue to do so”.

The department says the three Wilsons staff were stood down and returned to Australia and their removal was done with the full knowledge and agreement of the PNG police.

But on Wednesday it clarified it was “made aware immediately in mid-July of an incident involving three service provider staff and a locally engaged staff member”.

“They [DIBP] are concealing a lot of information from us and that’s a total lie”, Commander N’Drasal said.

But PNG police insist they did not agree to send the men home and remain furious at the actions of Australian officials.

Further comment has been sought from the department.

The department maintains it will support and assist PNG authorities should “there be a case to answer in relation to this matter”.

Wilson Security refused to comment, referring inquiries to the department.