- NZ’s PM Jacinda Ardern blasted Australia’s handling of Manus Island crisis
- Jacinda Ardern wants talks with Malcolm Turnbull over ‘unacceptable’ situation
- 400 asylum seekers are barricaded inside the mothballed detention centre
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has blasted Australia’s handling of the refugee crisis on Manus Island as unacceptable as she seeks another meeting with Malcolm Turnbull on the issue.
Ms Ardern has continued to push New Zealand’s offer to accept 150 refugees and asylum seekers from Australia’s offshore detention centres since her first face-to-face meeting with her Australian counterpart in Sydney a week ago.
She wants a more substantive conversation when both leaders reach the Philippines for the East Asia Summit this week.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured in Manila) has blasted Australia’s handling of the refugee crisis on Manus Island as unacceptable
‘We made the offer because we saw a great need. No matter what label you put on it there is absolute need and there is harm being done,’ she said on Sunday.
‘I see the human face of this and I see the need and the role New Zealand needs to play. I think it’s clear that we don’t see what’s happening there as acceptable, that’s why the offer’s there.’
It’s her strongest statement to date against the unfolding situation.
There are 400 refugees and asylum seekers who have barricaded themselves inside the mothballed detention centre, saying they fear for their safety if they leave.
The United Nations has raised concerns over reported instances of assault, sexual abuse, self harm and suspicious deaths.
Ms Ardern hasn’t revealed the content of the talks with Mr Turnbull, but said the fact they were continuing proved the urgency of the situation.
Miss Ardern is seeking another meeting with Malcolm Turnbull (pictured in Hong Kong) on the issue of Manus Island
New Zealand won’t pursue a deal directly with Papua New Guinea, despite Foreign Minister Winston Peters spotted holding talks with PNG’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Ms Ardern said it was faster to organise the logistics of any deal with Australia.
‘It continues to be the easiest option is to go through Australia given the screening that’s already occurred of those refugees … I’m interested in the fastest route,’ she said.
Mr Peters has made it clear New Zealand’s offer also includes refugees and asylum seekers in Australian detention centres in Nauru.