31 May 2016

Man threatens staff at Nauru processing office

8:38 pm on 31 May 2016

Security has been beefed up at the Connect processing office for refugees and asylum seekers in Nauru after a Somali man allegedly threatened staff today.

An employee of Broadspectrum, the company contracted to run the Nauru regional processing centre, Corey Menke, said the man was screaming at staff and made verbal threats.

He said the man, like many others, has been living in the community and went to the office to ask again for an update on the determination of his claim for refugee status.

"He came in and had a chat with Connect people then he came out and was screaming but lucky there were security here, they stopped him. It's how long they've been here because they've been released but still they haven't heard anything from Australia," said Mr Menke.

Corey Menke, whose house is next door to the processing office, said the Nauru government needs to provide more certainty to the refugees and offer them permanent residency.

Protest on Nauru

Protest on Nauru Photo: supplied Refugee Action Coalition