New Refugee Agreement between PNG and Australia

On October 6, the Australian and PNG Governments came to an agreement that would result in the end of Australia using PNG as an offshore immigration processing centre. Read the full text of the Joint media release between the Hon Karen Andrews MP and the Hon. Westly Nukundj MP – Finalisation of the Regional Resettlement Arrangement here.

While the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands welcomes the end of offshore processing in PNG, it expresses serious concerns about the continuing impact of Australia’s shifting of its responsibility to Pacific neighbours and the on-going hardship placed on the refugees in both PNG and Nauru.

Please read the comments from the Church in PNG and e-mail the Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, who announce  the new arrangement. Urge her to stop shifting responsibility to support and resettle the refugees to our Pacific neighbours. Encourage  her to bring all the refugees back to Australia so that we can take direct responsibility for the refugees: Karen.andrews.mp@aph.gov.au

Please continue to send a similar message to the Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, who was recently promoted to Cabinet. His e-mail address is: Alex.hawke.mp@aph.gov.au

Please continue to pray for our Pacific neighbours and for the refugees. In October, please especially pray the Rosary.

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