If they do get in I hope the money is locked away safely somewhere!
The Department of Home Affairs is still unable to assure federal parliament the reported $80 million paid to Papua New Guinea for the welfare and support of people formerly held in offshore detention is being properly spent and has not been siphoned off in corrupt or fraudulent payments.
Departmental secretary Stephanie Foster has told a Senate estimates committee hearing she cannot guarantee the money paid as part of a 2021 agreement between the then Morrison government and the government of PNG was reaching the refugees and asylum seekers it was meant to help.
“The way in which the arrangement was constructed gave that responsibility to the PNG government and I’m afraid I am not able to give you that assurance,” Foster told independent senator David Pocock under questioning on Monday night.
The government has not been able to account for $80 million paid to support asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea, as advocates reveal financial assistance stopped months ago.
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