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Asylum Seekers to Finally Head to PNG
The 433 asylum seekers aboard the Tampa off Christmas Island will soon be moved, ABC reports Monday.
They will be on their way to the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, as the Federal Court in Melbourne continues to determine their legal future.
A plan that was thrashed out late last night between the parties would see the asylum seekers transferred to the Navy troop ship Manoora.
The agreement allows the court case to continue as if the asylum seekers were still in Australia.
Should the Federal Court rule in their favour, they will be returned to Australia.
In the interim, they will stay on Manoora as it heads to Port Moresby, a journey of between six and 10 days.
All parties believe the court case will be over before the Manoora arrives at Port Moresby.
Justice Tony North says it was an human solution to difficult issues.
The Defence Minister, Peter Reith, says the Defence Force is ready to transfer the people from the Tampa.
"They have trained for this, they have the equipment for this...they have the capability, landing craft, they have helicopters and obviously it would depend on the sea state and the conditions which are judged by the person on the spot at the time," Mr Reith said.
Nauru preparationsNauru's President says his government fully supports the decision to send several hundred of the Tampa asylum seekers to the tiny Pacific island nation.
Australian Defence Force personnel arrived on the island late last night to help prepare the country for their arrival.
President Rene Harris says he has only one concern.
"I suppose the medical was a concern but we've been told that none of them, all of them, have been checked and they don't have any disease of any significance," he said.
Mr Harris says he does not believe Australia will owe Nauru for the favour, saying "a friend never owes a friend for anything".
PNGThe Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government has also begun preparing for the arrival of the asylum seekers in Port Moresby.
High level negotiations proceeded between Port Moresby and Canberra over the weekend, with the PNG Government eventually offering to help Australia move the asylum seekers.
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Mekere Morauta says he is happy to provide a Pacific solution to what he called "a problem in our region".
The Australian Navy ship, Manoora, will bring the asylum seekers to Port Moresby where they will be held on board until immediately before Australian Air Force planes are ready to fly them onto New Zealand and Nauru.
They will not be allowed to remain in Papua New Guinea or stay any longer than it takes to drive them from the harbour to the airport.
Mr Morauta says the asylum seekers will be in the care of the Australian military at all times, even when they are in PNG waters.
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