Canberra wants refugee camp in Suva

Canberra wants refugee camp in Suva

FIJI: Australia wants to build a refugee township in Fiji to hold asylum seekers, Fiji Foreign Minister Kalioata Tavola told the Daily Post in Suva Sunday.

He said the government had been offered A$10 million to set up the township and a A$10 million dollar bonus once it is running.

A Fiji government taskforce considering the proposal would submit its report to Canberra on Nov. 20.

Tavola said the bonus could be larger, depending on the size of the facility.

The fate of about 1,500 asylum seekers intercepted by the Australian navy recently remained unclear on Sunday after the re- election of conservative Prime Minister John Howard. --AFP