The Governor of Manus Island, Charlie Benjamin, has slammed Australia over plans to redevelop a joint naval base on the island in Papua New Guinea, labeling the plan unnecessary and not in the best interest of locals.
Benjamin said that he does not trust Australia to work on Lombrum naval base, as Australian workers would be paid high wages while local PNG workers would only be paid minimum wage.
Despite this, head of PNG Defence Gilbert Toropo is welcoming international involvement and believes that both the US and Australia’s naval presence in Manus will allow for the effective policing of borders and monitoring of major supply routes.