This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/29/fiji-rudd-png-asylum-plan

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fiji attacks Rudd PNG asylum plan Fiji attacks Rudd PNG asylum plan
(about 2 months later)
Fiji has accused an "arrogant" Australia of dumping its asylum seeker problem on Pacific nations, as the Rudd government prepares to send a first group of boat arrivals to Papua New Guinea for processing and resettlement under its new policy.Fiji has accused an "arrogant" Australia of dumping its asylum seeker problem on Pacific nations, as the Rudd government prepares to send a first group of boat arrivals to Papua New Guinea for processing and resettlement under its new policy.
Seventeen boats carrying almost 1,400 people have arrived since the prime minister announced his hardline plan to banish asylum boat arrivals to PNG.Seventeen boats carrying almost 1,400 people have arrived since the prime minister announced his hardline plan to banish asylum boat arrivals to PNG.
The Fijian foreign minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, launched a scathing attack on the plan on Monday.The Fijian foreign minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, launched a scathing attack on the plan on Monday.
He accused Australia of using its economic muscle to persuade a Melanesian country to accept thousands of people who are not Pacific islanders into the region.He accused Australia of using its economic muscle to persuade a Melanesian country to accept thousands of people who are not Pacific islanders into the region.
"For an Australian problem, you have proposed a Melanesian solution that threatens to destabilise the already delicate social and economic balances in our societies," Kubuabola told a business forum in Brisbane."For an Australian problem, you have proposed a Melanesian solution that threatens to destabilise the already delicate social and economic balances in our societies," Kubuabola told a business forum in Brisbane.
"We are deeply troubled by the consequent threat to the stability of these countries and the wider Melanesian community by the scale of what is being envisaged.""We are deeply troubled by the consequent threat to the stability of these countries and the wider Melanesian community by the scale of what is being envisaged."
He said the deal was aimed at solving Australia's domestic political problems for short-term political gain, without proper consideration of the long-term consequences.He said the deal was aimed at solving Australia's domestic political problems for short-term political gain, without proper consideration of the long-term consequences.
"We cannot remain silent when the current Australian government dumps this problem, which is arguably of its own making, on our doorstep," Kubuabola said."We cannot remain silent when the current Australian government dumps this problem, which is arguably of its own making, on our doorstep," Kubuabola said.
"This deal continues a pattern of behaviour on the part of the Australian government that is inconsiderate, prescriptive, high-handed and arrogant.""This deal continues a pattern of behaviour on the part of the Australian government that is inconsiderate, prescriptive, high-handed and arrogant."
Work is continuing at Australia's detention centre on Manus Island as the first group of asylum seekers – due there by Friday – complete health checks in Australia.Work is continuing at Australia's detention centre on Manus Island as the first group of asylum seekers – due there by Friday – complete health checks in Australia.
A fourth and final airlift of equipment destined for the expanded facility was due to arrive in Port Moresby on Monday.A fourth and final airlift of equipment destined for the expanded facility was due to arrive in Port Moresby on Monday.
Each flight carried 10 shipping containers with tents, marquees, poles, frames and a range of building equipment bound for Manus Island.Each flight carried 10 shipping containers with tents, marquees, poles, frames and a range of building equipment bound for Manus Island.
The immigration minister, Tony Burke, said permanent accommodation would replace temporary shelters and the centre could be expanded rapidly as required.The immigration minister, Tony Burke, said permanent accommodation would replace temporary shelters and the centre could be expanded rapidly as required.
The opposition leader, Tony Abbott, reiterated that the real test for the PNG arrangement would be whether asylum seekers would be resettled there.The opposition leader, Tony Abbott, reiterated that the real test for the PNG arrangement would be whether asylum seekers would be resettled there.
"If the government is to be taken seriously, it does actually need to back up its words with deeds," he said in Sydney."If the government is to be taken seriously, it does actually need to back up its words with deeds," he said in Sydney.
Meanwhile, Nauru's chief justice, Geoffrey Eames QC, said the nation would need "significant funding" to properly conduct criminal trials for the 150 asylum seekers accused of rioting earlier in July.Meanwhile, Nauru's chief justice, Geoffrey Eames QC, said the nation would need "significant funding" to properly conduct criminal trials for the 150 asylum seekers accused of rioting earlier in July.
"It would be unreasonable to expect the Nauruan government to provide that funding out of its existing budget," he said in a statement."It would be unreasonable to expect the Nauruan government to provide that funding out of its existing budget," he said in a statement.
The detention centre was all but burned to the ground on 19 July, the day Kevin Rudd announced his radical PNG arrangement.The detention centre was all but burned to the ground on 19 July, the day Kevin Rudd announced his radical PNG arrangement.
Only the kitchen and recreation facility remained following the blaze, with the damage estimated at $60m.Only the kitchen and recreation facility remained following the blaze, with the damage estimated at $60m.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.