The government of Nauru has indicated there will be no change in its support of the Coalition’s plan to reopen the Howard-era refugee processing centre, despite the sudden resignation of President Marcus Stephen.
Nauru’s new President, Frederick Pitcher, told Nauru media there would be no change in the government’s course, despite the departure of his predecessor.
Senior Nauru government officials have said the change in the presidency would not make “a single iota of difference” to the Nauru solution.
“The proposal does not change with the reshuffle,” said one minister. “Anyone saying otherwise is playing politics.”
Australia’s opposition’s immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison, was expected to try to speak to Mr Pitcher soon to discuss the Coalition’s proposal. He said the Coalition looked forward to working with the new President.
Mr Stephen, who was elected on a mandate to end corruption, resigned following a public controversy generated by the leak of an email he had sent to a large buyer of the Pacific nation’s phosphate, in which he allegedly appeared to solicit a bribe.
Along with Foreign Minister Kieren Keke, who changed ministerial portfolios as part of a cabinet reshuffle, Mr Stephen had been one of the key backers of the processing centre.
Source
- The Australian
- Image: The Age.com.au