Actor Russell Crowe has lashed out at Australia's handling of the escalating situation at the Manus Island detention centre, labelling it a "nation's shame" and offering to house and support refugees himself.
More than 600 men are refusing to leave the now-decommissioned centre in Papua New Guinea and relocate to alternative accommodation. They have expressed concerns for their safety, and asylum seeker advocates say the facilities are not ready.
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Manus Island stand off continues
The protest continues on Manus Island with 600 men refusing to leave the detention centre as two politicians trade insults over the situation.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also reiterated her country's offer to take 150 refugees from Australia's detention centres, and said she would raise the issue of Australia's tough treatment of asylum seekers, including the men on Manus, in her first meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this weekend.
Ms Ardern said New Zealand was "lucky" not to be dealing with a situation like Australia's.
"I am looking forward, though, to having a conversation directly with the Prime Minister on Sunday about some of those issues - and New Zealand's role and view on Manus Island in particular," she said.
The Turnbull government has maintained that PNG authorities are responsible for protecting the detainees and has previously declined to take up New Zealand's offer.
As the stand-off enters its third day, the men have been drinking and washing in water collected in rubbish bins at the centre.
A long-time resident of Australia, the New Zealand-born Crowe weighed in on Twitter on Wednesday night.
"Manus. A nation's shame. Lives held in limbo. Lives lived in fear and despair. It's f---ing disgraceful," he said.
He said he had contemplated what he could personally do to help.
"I believe I could house and find jobs for six. I'm sure there'd be other Australians who would do the same," he added.
Best-known for his roles in Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind, Crowe has in the past indicated support for progressive politicians such as former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard and former US president Barack Obama.
Manus. A Nations shame. Lives held in limbo . Lives lived in fear & despair . It's fucking disgraceful
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 1, 2017
I've thought about this . I believe I could house and find jobs for 6. I'm sure there'd be other Australians who would do the same
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 1, 2017
Ms Ardern's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters – whose decision to enter into a coalition agreement propelled her to power – has criticised the offer to resettle refugees in New Zealand in the past.
"That was an offer made by the previous administration. At this point in time, we've had no discussions on it inside this coalition," he told Fairfax Media last week.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the men should move to the new accommodation and said advocates were making a "very difficult situation even worse".
"We've got a deal with the United States to move 1200 people. I want to close Manus as quickly as possible, but it doesn't help when you've got the Greens and others who are telling people not to engage, not to move," he told the Nine Network.
As of last month, about 50 detainees from Manus and Nauru had left for the US.
Lawyers are hopeful the PNG government could dramatically intervene in the desperate situation by reopening the abandoned centre or striking a resettlement deal with New Zealand.
PNG lawyer Ben Lomai has applied for an injunction that would force the local government to re-establish the facility's essential services. He is expecting a decision from the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Mr Lomai and Australian barrister Greg Barns suggested PNG could deal directly with New Zealand to solve the crisis.
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