About 1,000 people gather in Lorengau to air grievances about how promised benefits for hosting Australia’s immigration detention regime have not been seen

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Manus Island residents say the benefits promised by the Australian government in return for hosting its immigration centre in their province have not been delivered.

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On Friday about 1,000 people gathered in Lorengau for a community forum to air their grievances about the controversial regional processing centre (RPC) which operates at Lombrum, about 25km out of town.

Despite the 2013 Rudd government agreement with Papua New Guinea bringing economic benefits and an increase in jobs for the region, tensions have remained strained in the province, and in Lorengau in particular.

As part of the deal, Australia agreed to provide $420m in aid to PNG; Manus province receives $37m.

“The benefits for Manus are not sufficient, they are very small compared to the amount of money given to other projects around the country,” general secretary of the Maus Manus Development Forum, Ben Pokarup, told Guardian Australia.

Inconsistent pay and a lack of higher-level jobs for locals at the regional processing centre (RPC), construction contracts not going to local businesses, and deteriorating roads were also raised.

“There are supervisory roles that can be executed by Manus locals at the centre, but Australians are taking it and doing it,” Pokarup said. “And the salary and wages, they are inconsistent. Their rate per hour is not up to what they expected. They are not getting benefits they are suppose to get as workers in the RPC.”

Pokarup said the funding dedicated specifically to the region within the $420m agreement was too small, and he accused 2013 negotiators of ignoring the community.

Local MP Ronnie Knight said the forum was an opportunity for people to air their concerns about what was happening “locally, politically, and economically” and to discuss the behaviour of expat employees of the centre when they were in the PNG community.

A 2014 economic report found the centre and related construction had resulted in a 70% increase in formal employment in the Manus economy and a 25% increase in employment by local businesses.

However that same year an Australian Senate report into disturbances at the centre found that as early as 2012, it was clear tensions were growing due to poor communication between the two governments and locals, leading to a blockade of the airport and main road.

The report also described a number of violent incidents both inside and around the centre which also served to escalate the situation.

In 2014, relatives of two local men killed by PNG’s notorious police mobile squad blamed the presence of the detention centre because the squad was subsidised by the Australian government.

Local police and politicians have criticised the centre operators and the Australian government over at least two incidents involving Australian employees allegedly committing crimes but being flown home before they could face authorities. The incidents prompted accusations of a cover-up.

In July, three Australian men were accused of drugging and raping a Papua New Guinean colleague.

The men, employees of Wilson Security at the RPC were flown to Australia and despite assurances from the then prime minister, Tony Abbott, that Australia would cooperate with authorities, they have not been returned to PNG for questioning.

In December an Australian employed by Wilson Security was alleged to have robbed a local bar and then caused a traffic accident. He was returned to Australia “based on medical advice and compassionate grounds,” the immigration department told Guardian Australia.

In both circumstances the department said repatriations were done with the full knowledge and consent of PNG police – something PNG police refuted.

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The incidents were raised again at Friday’s forum.

“They said the three Australians would be back here to answer in court,” said Pokarup. “They were asked not to leave the country and then they left the country.”

Pokarup said representatives from the Australian and PNG immigration departments and the RPC were all invited to attend the forum, but did not show up.

“I told the people it was up to them to draw conclusions. There’s a clear picture that the people are not satisfied,” said Pokarup.

“It’s very sad and upsetting to people at Manus that the people who have to answer the questions didn’t come.”

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has been contacted for comment.