PNG asylum solution to cost Australia A$1b

The first group of 40 asylum-seekers arrive in mini-buses shortly after landing on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, formally bringing into effect the Regional Settlement Arrangement on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Australia’s decision to send asylum-seekers to its struggling Pacific neighbour Papua New Guinea will cost the government about A$1.1 billion (HK$7.6 billion) over four years, a budget statement released on Friday showed.

So far only two groups of male boatpeople have been sent to PNG’s Manus Island since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced the new policy, which has been criticised by refugee advocates, two weeks ago.

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