Australia Transfers First Group of Vietnamese Irregular Maritime Arrivals to Papua New Guinea

The Australian Government’s latest transfer of 20 Vietnamese irregular maritime arrivals to the regional processing centre on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG) was completed on 4 April 2013. The group includes passengers of people smuggling boats recently intercepted by Australian authorities.

The group was accompanied to Manus Island by detention service provider staff, Australian Federal Police, interpreters and medical staff.

On arrival in PNG, the group – the 12th transfer to PNG and first group of Vietnamese nationals to be transferred to a regional processing country – will undergo local immigration and quarantine clearance processes before being moved into the regional processing centre.

An Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman said “The completion of this transfer reaffirms the strong message of deterrence for anyone considering risking their lives on dangerous people smuggling boats.”

“There will be no advantage for boat arrivals.”

“Anyone arriving in Australia in this way may be transferred to a regional processing centre in PNG or Nauru.”

Transfers will continue to occur both to PNG and Nauru as part of the policy of regional processing of irregular maritime arrivals.

The Australian Government continues to implement the recommendations of the report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, whose central principle provides that people choosing to travel to Australia by boat should receive no advantage.

The Australian and Vietnamese governments cooperate in close partnership to arrest and prosecute people smugglers and to stop this dangerous trade in human lives.

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