8 Aug 2013

PNG seeks to change constitution to avoid actions on asylum plan

4:32 am on 8 August 2013

Papua New Guinea has announced it will attempt to change its constitution to block further attempts in court to challenge the detention centre on Manus Island.

An application by Opposition leader Belden Namah to rule the centre unconstitutional is currently in front of the courts.

A previous challenge was thrown out by judges who ruled the wrong legal mechanism was used.

The PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato says the bill will be introduced next month.

The PNG Government signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday with Australia to formalise the arrangement of resettling asylum seekers on Manus Island.

Australia's immigration minister Tony Burke says work is underway for the building of a permanent facility on the island.

Mr Burke claims that he has information asylum seekers in Indonesia are asking for their money back from people-smugglers.