New Zealand has made the same offer to the Australian government since 2013, but it has been strongly and repeatedly refused. I’m just not going to preside over that arrangement.”Despite Dutton’s reluctance, government papers obtained by Sky News show Australia asked the New Zealand government to keep its offer on the table, in case plans to re-home Manus Island detainees in the US fell through. @Refugees @UNmigration @NZUNGVA @NZUN pic.twitter.com/9uZeMgfajhThe United Nations refugee agency has repeatedly urged Australia to accept New Zealand’s offer, as recently as November last year. “We urge Australia to reconsider this and take up the offer,” said Nai Jit Lam, deputy regional representative at the UNHCR. The New Zealand Red Cross, which helps process and integrate asylum seekers, said it was ready and prepared to accept the Manus Island refugees.

Source: The Guardian April 12, 2018 04:41 UTC