15 Nov 2013

Anger over PNG shut out of Manus camp spin off businesses

7:11 pm on 15 November 2013

The Papua New Guinea prime minister, Peter O'Neill, has expressed alarm at the way Papua New Guineans are being cut out of opportunities arising from the camp for Australia's asylum seekers.

The Post Courier newspaper reports Mr O'Neill telling parliament he will complain directly to Canberra after claims by Manus MP Ronnie Knight that locals are not benefiting from the spin-off businesses.

He says it is alarming that PNG business people do not get the opportunity to participate when that was the intention in setting up the centre.

Mr O'Neill says it is a blatant abuse of trust.

Mr Knight told parliament guest houses and hotels had benefited from the demand until recently when an accommodation barge was brought in, depleting the local hospitality industry overnight.

And he says local companies had bought machinery but now find an Australian contractor has brought in several dump trucks and other equipment to take advantage of the spin-offs.