Aust govt accused of lying over Manus case

3:07 pm on 30 July 2015

The Papua New Guinea police says it was not told by the Australian Government that staff accused of sexual assault were flown home from the Manus Island detention centre.

An investigation is underway into allegations that the three ex-patriates, who worked for Wilson Security, raped a local woman employed at the centre.

Beds at Manus Islands Detention Centre on Papua New Guinea

Beds at the Manus Island detention centre Photo: AFP

In a statement, the Australian Department of Immigration said it told senior representatives of the Royal PNG Constabulary before removing staff from the island.

But the Manus police commander, Alex N'Drasal, says that never happened.

"Information that was provided by the Immigration Department of Australia was all lies, pack of lies. They haven't reported this matter to the police to investigate, they are hiding things away from us. They are supposed to report this immediately to us to conduct a formal police investigation. They did not consult us, I think they consulted the PNG ICSA, immigration officers, but they did not consult us."

Alex N'Drasal says management at the detention centre will be arrested for perverting the course of justice if the three accused are not returned.

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