Australian Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says Canberra's policy for resettling refugees from Australia's detention centre in Papua New Guinea has fallen apart.
PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has announced he's relooking at the policy after meeting with Australia's Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, and Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison in Port Moresby on Sunday.
He says due to a lack of understanding and support for refugee resettlement by communities in PNG, he has instructed that a new policy be drawn up based on consultation.
Ms Hanson-Young says the policy change confirms that public opposition to the plan is stoo strong to proceed.
She says the policy is clearly inhumane and unworkable and its continued failure has been like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
The senator described the policy as doomed and said the Australian government needs to recognise that and establish an exit strategy before more unrest.
Papua New Guinea parliament facade. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades