Minister for Immigration and Border Security

CAC Recommences Hearings

“The recommencing of the CAC hearings is encouraging after the last one was held in September 2019. The Committee was unable to meet since then due to legislative and political factors affecting the status of the CAC members.

“This issue has been resolved and the permanent members of the Committee were sworn in by the Head of State at the Government House on 7th and 21st April,” said Kramer.

Kantha’s appointment illegal, says Minister

Minister Nukundj said the Office of the State Solicitor has not given the legal clearance for the appointment of Kantha as Chief Migration Officer citing serious flaws and omissions and there was no valid contract of employment between him and the State, as his appointment was illegal.

Nukundj said he was not on the shortlist of candidates recommended by Ministerial Executive Appointment Committee (MEAC) at that material time.

Authority gives refugees POM transfer opportunity

In announcing the offer, Minister for Immigration and Border Security, Petrus Thomas, identified the offer to relocate as a positive and significant step towards ending regional processing.

“The Prime Minister was clear, he wants the RRA (Regional Resettlement Arrangement) processing in PNG to end and Australian service providers to cease – and that is what we are delivering. This is a positive move for these men, living in Port Moresby will enable them an opportunity to make their own personal decisions and move on with their lives.

Deportation orders signed for foreigners

A large, white warehouse containing cigarettes of unknown origin, including manufacturing equipment at the Kennedy Estate, was raided by the National Drug and Vice Squad last week.

Minister Thomas said today: “I have used my powers under the Migration Act based on national security concerns given the rampant and increasing incidences of the importation, production and sale of counterfeit products to deport the foreigners associated with the company Goldenborough Ltd.

23 unlawful non-citizens deported

The Minister for Immigration and Border Security, Petrus Thomas, said this was a result of the joint agency spot check operations conducted by PNG agencies in Port Moresby in October of last year. 

The last two foreigners that were apprehended and charged from the joint operation were removed last Monday after spending time in detention at Bomana Correctional Service.

Hillside Haus declared permanent detention site

Minister Petrus Thomas says: “By virtue of the powers conferred by Section 15(1)(b) and (2) of the Migration Act (Chapter 16), and all other powers enabling me, I declare Hillside Haus to be permanent places of detention.”

His declaration comes into effect on and from November 1, 2017.

Meanwhile, a total of 378 refugees still remain at the Manus Regional Processing Centre and refuse to move to the new camps.

The Royal PNG Constabulary reports: “Buses were provided all day to take the remaining 378 refugees to their new centres but they refused.

Manus issue: Immigration Minister acknowledges court’s ruling

He said the court found that the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia agreed to close the Manus Regional Processing Centre on the 31st of October 2017, which is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s previous ruling in April 2016.

“The court stated that residents of the now decommissioned MRPC are required to vacate the MRPC and move into the new facilities provided which affords them the exercise of their constitutional rights.

South Fly health centre to be upgraded

The centre has been catering for referral for the province and providing vital primary health care services, including the management of tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant TB to inland non-treaty villages of the south fly district.

Work will commence shortly following the ground breaking ceremony, which was eventuated by PNG Minister for Immigration and Border Security, Petrus Thomas, and Australian High commissioner Bruce Davis, on October 12.

​Minister directs policy changes for immigration

The Minister for Immigration and Border Security, Petrus Thomas, recently made the announcement that a system will be put in place to improve revenue collection for the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority.