Manus Island: why would they choose to stay?

Manus Island: why would they choose to stay?

REFUGEES and asylum seekers detained on Manus Island regularly travelled into town to allegedly have sex with underage girls and buy and sell drugs, the Australian government was told last month.

Some 161 offences, including sexual assault, assault and aggressive behaviour, allegedly committed by residents at the processing centre, were reported to the Australian government by Papua New Guinea authorities in mid-October, according to The Australian.

The incidents were allegedly committed over a period of four years from October 2013.

The Australian reported that refugees used items such as cigarettes and chocolate to lure young girls into sexual acts. Several children were born from the alleged sexual interactions, the paper reported.

Other incidents referred to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary included unlawful entry, property damage and contraband.

On Friday, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said about 190 men from the centre would travel to the nearby village of Lorengau by bus each day.

He said many of the men were “involved” in drugs and some had threatened to rape local wives and children.

“They’ll go down, purchase goods from the markets, they stay at the beach, go to the beach, they sell things down there,” Mr Dutton told Melbourne’s 3AW radio.

“Obviously, if they’re minded to buy drugs or sell drugs, then that’s an activity that some are involved in as well.’’

The revelation came as Tony Abbott criticised “disgraceful behaviour” by protesters against offshore detention who interrupted his Sydney fundraising event on Friday night in violent scenes.

Several hundred protesters outside the event confronted guests, including Mr Abbott’s sister Christine Forster, whose jacket was ripped as she struggled through the crowd. At least three people were arrested during the protest.

“Disgraceful behaviour by protesters last night,” Mr Abbott tweeted on Saturday morning.

“Denying Australians’ real rights to uphold the supposed rights of boat people.

“My sister is herself a brave campaigner for rights and should never have been assaulted.”

Mr Dutton also attended the fundraising event in Redfern but he and Mr Abbott managed to elude protesters.

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, who was at the protest, defended the protesters and said the refugees on Manus Island needed to be evacuated.

“What was full-on was the police, the police have mishandled tonight,” Ms Rhiannon told AAP.

“We’re here standing with the 600 men on Manus Island, I’m angry, so many people are angry.”

On Manus Island, Papua New Guinea authorities have destroyed makeshift shelters and removed water stores at the detention centre as a standoff continues.

The ABC reports about 90 asylum seekers remained at the centre on Friday, with some reporting they had been given a deadline of Monday to leave.

Manus Island’s police commander has ruled out the use of force to remove the men.

Meanwhile the NSW Young Lawyers have called on the Australian government to immediately provide the men at the facility with protection, food, water, health and other essential services.

“NSW Young Lawyers is seriously concerned by reports by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that replacement accommodation at West Lorengau lacks electrical or water and appropriate security,” Mr Turner said.

“There are also reports of inadequate access to hospital facilities and torture and trauma counselling.”

— with AAP