Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Nauru government says all fair in camp-related business

Posted at 19:39 on 05 March, 2013 UTC

The minister responsible for the asylum seeker regional processing centre on Nauru, Dominic Tabuna, says business opportunities spawned by the camp are being fairly shared on the island.

Opposition MP Baron Waqa says anger over some leaders’ business links are partly to blame for recent political turmoil on Nauru including the departure of half the cabinet.

Mr Tabuna says he does not know the reasons behind the sacking of one minister and the resignation of two others.

He says Nauru has been inundated with camp-related work since the Australia-run centre was set up nearly six months ago and the government has promoted local business as far as possible.

“There is certainly no one telling the camp managers that they have to buy from a certain business or what have you. I believe there is no advantage to certain officials or ministers.”

Nauru government minister Dominic Tabuna.