Australia, PNG to discuss detention centre

Last Updated: Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:24:00 +1100

Papua New Guinea's High Commissioner to Australia says plans for a detention centre on Manus Island will be part of discussions this week between the two country's leaders.

Australia will this week host Papua New Guinea's new Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in what is his first visit to Canberra as leader.

In August, Australia reached an agreement with PNG to reopen the asylum seeker detention centre.

But those plans were scuttled after a High Court decision ruled out offshore processing.

PNG's High Commissioner Charles Lepani told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the issue will be raised during Mr O'Neill's talk with Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.

"Our government under Prime Minister O'Neill is ready and willing to cooperate with Australia on any solutions through Manus processing centre, however mechanism could be established and agreed to between our two governments," Mr Lepani said.

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