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Australia court rules PNG asylum is illegal Australia court rejects challenge to PNG asylum deal
(35 minutes later)
Australia's High Court has ruled that sending asylum seekers to be processed offshore in Papua New Guinea does not breach the constitution.Australia's High Court has ruled that sending asylum seekers to be processed offshore in Papua New Guinea does not breach the constitution.
Lawyers for an Iranian asylum seeker argued that PNG's designation as an offshore processing centre was illegal under the Migration Act.Lawyers for an Iranian asylum seeker argued that PNG's designation as an offshore processing centre was illegal under the Migration Act.
But the judges rejected the claims.But the judges rejected the claims.
Conditions in the camp, and in another centre on Nauru, have been the subject of stringent criticism from both UN agencies and human rights groups.Conditions in the camp, and in another centre on Nauru, have been the subject of stringent criticism from both UN agencies and human rights groups.
The Iranian man arrived on Australia's Christmas Island by boat last July. He was then transferred to the Manus Island Detention Centre .
His lawyers also claimed that his removal from Christmas Island was illegal.
''It's devastating for our client,'' his lawyer Mark Robinson said. ''It means that he has to remain in Papua New Guinea in terrible conditions."
The much-criticised policy was introduced by the Australian government in 2012.The much-criticised policy was introduced by the Australian government in 2012.
It has the broad support of both of Australia's main political parties.It has the broad support of both of Australia's main political parties.
But rights groups have questioned whether Australia is adequately protecting vulnerable people.But rights groups have questioned whether Australia is adequately protecting vulnerable people.
Riots have broken out at the Manus centre on several occasions.Riots have broken out at the Manus centre on several occasions.
Australia-PNG Regional Resettlement ArrangementAustralia-PNG Regional Resettlement Arrangement
The ruling comes as a victory for the current conservative Australian government, says the BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney.The ruling comes as a victory for the current conservative Australian government, says the BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney.
The government has have championed the policy and has been largely successful in reducing the number of asylum seekers, he says.The government has have championed the policy and has been largely successful in reducing the number of asylum seekers, he says.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott welcomed the court's decision.Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott welcomed the court's decision.
"We haven't had a successful people smuggling venture to Australia in almost six months and obviously I'm pleased those policies have passed muster," he said."We haven't had a successful people smuggling venture to Australia in almost six months and obviously I'm pleased those policies have passed muster," he said.
"This is a government that is determined to stop the boats so we've put a range of policies in place.""This is a government that is determined to stop the boats so we've put a range of policies in place."
Immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young maintained the Manus Island detention centre was not safe for asylum seekers.Immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young maintained the Manus Island detention centre was not safe for asylum seekers.
"Dumping refugees in unsafe conditions on Manus Island may be constitutional but it's certainly not morally acceptable and is still in breach of international law," she said."Dumping refugees in unsafe conditions on Manus Island may be constitutional but it's certainly not morally acceptable and is still in breach of international law," she said.
"What remains true is that these camps of cruelty are inhumane, unsafe and untenable for refugees.""What remains true is that these camps of cruelty are inhumane, unsafe and untenable for refugees."