133:, though insisted that Manus residents needed to receive more benefit than they had in its previous incarnation. In October, as it was due to reopen, he labelled the Australian government "arrogant" over its handling of negotiations, stating that he had been "left in the dark". He subsequently argued for the national government to block the deal, stating that a promised aid package had not eventuated and criticising the fast-tracking of operational contracts being granted to Australian firms without local consultation, instead of in partnership with local businesses. On 1 November, having obtained a commitment to AU$ 8 million in Australian aid, he declared that "Manusians as a whole welcomed the asylum seeker facility", citing opportunities for local residents and businesses.
141:, who had been outspoken about what Knight viewed as insufficient local benefit as a result of the project. An Australian newspaper reported local accusations that Benjamin was "running scared" by "trying to balance the interests of and the Manus community". In the same month, he lashed the Australian government over its political instability and demanded a new deal of up to AU$ 120 million to upgrade local infrastructure. In February 2014, during controversy over the murder of detainee
153:
facilities cease in support of his demand that
Australia renegotiate their assistance package with the provincial government. By 2015, he was expressing concern about social problems associated with the centre such as "instances of drunkenness, drug use and sexual relations with locals", both from detention centre staff and refugees. In December 2016,
113:
financial statements and acquittals. The leadership tribunal found him guilty on all nineteen misconduct counts in
December 2006. The tribunal dismissed him from office in January 2007. The tribunal members publicly alleged that they had been subject to a bribe attempt to rule in Benjamin's favour, although Benjamin denied responsibility.
149:- though the Chief Migration Officer stated that no Manus detainees had in fact been transferred from Nauru. He also opposed resettling any refugees on Manus Island itself, stating that the "PNG Solution" had become unpopular on Manus Island "because it is not right that people resettle here when they want to go to Australia".
159:
reported that he was "indignant" about the centre, with
Benjamin stating "It's just morally wrong to dump these people here and then say, 'Never Australia,'"..."Our understanding was we'd help a process and genuine refugees would move on, but no process exists" and expressing frustration at "endless
152:
Benjamin continued to support the processing centre due to the jobs associated with the project, and in August 2014 claimed that residents "wanted it to stay" in the face of media reports that it might close. However, in
October he was reported to have temporarily ordered that construction on new
112:
In
November 2005, the Parliamentary Privileges Committee recommended his suspension for ninety days for "making the Speaker's chair an item of public ridicule" the previous year. In April 2006, he was suspended from office pending a leadership tribunal into separate misconduct charges relating to
136:
Benjamin subsequently defended the detention centre against criticism from landowners and human rights advocates, claiming that it would benefit local people and stating that his government would "not be deterred by people raising negative opinions about the program". By
September 2013, he was
104:
in
November 2003. He served as Shadow Minister for Lands and Physical Planning under opposition leader Morauta. Having been chairman of the Public Service and Public Sector Reform Committee and a member of the Privileges Committee in his first term, he was a member of the Culture and Tourism
105:
Committee, Economics
Committee and Public Works Committee in his second term. In November 2004, he caused controversy by briefly occupying the speaker's chair during a session in protest at Speaker
81:
from July 1998 until Skate's defeat in July 1999. He then served as
Minister for Labour and Employment (2000-2001) and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning (2001-2002) in the government of
77:
as an independent MP. He served as Shadow
Minister for Forests from July 1997 until June 1998, when he joined the government, subsequently serving as Vice-Minister for Public Enterprises under
741:
86:
54:
736:
210:
109:'s frustration of attempts to bring a no-confidence vote in the government. He refused to apologise, and was suspended for two days for defying the Speaker.
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in the Manus Provincial seat rather than recontesting his former open seat. He initially supported the reopening of the Australian
649:
164:
122:
97:
74:
38:
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145:, he claimed that no Manus residents were involved in the death and blamed detainees he claimed had been transferred from the
45:(1998–1999) and Minister for Labour and Employment (2000–2001) and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning (2001–2002) under
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in April 2001 following its merger with the APP, before reviving the APP with himself as leader in August 2001.
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49:. As governor from 2012, he has featured prominently in issues relating to the Australian-run
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8:
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474:"MANUS Governor Charlie Benjamin has made his stance clear over the $ A200 million".
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wrangling with the Australian authorities" over infrastructure such as roads.
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53:. Benjamin has variously been an independent (1997–1999) and a member of the
138:
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42:
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from 1997 to 2007. He was Vice-Minister for Public Enterprises under
279:"Opposition creates "rowdy scenes" in Papua New Guinea parliament".
137:
reported to be "no longer on speaking terms" with Manus Open MP
384:"Manus MPs knocked out: Benjamin wins Manus Governor's seat".
37:
since 2012, and was formerly the member for Manus Open in the
73:
Benjamin was first elected to the National Parliament at the
594:"Alcohol, sex fuel Manus tensions over refugee processing".
18:
Nightmare Academy: Charlie's Monsters § Main characters
742:
People's National Congress (Papua New Guinea) politicians
96:
Benjamin was re-elected for the APP in Manus Open at the
444:"Manus governor unhappy over PNG/Australia camp deals".
737:
Members of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
579:"Work halt on Manus Island asylum seeker facilities".
116:
429:"Manus deal threat: Asylum seeker pact in jeopardy".
713:
459:"$ 8m for Manus for hosting detention centre".
534:"PNG confirms it will take `real' refugees".
564:"Locals gain from PNG asylum seeker camp".
414:"Australia arrogant, says Manus governor".
163:Benjamin was comfortably re-elected at the
549:"Manus Island won't take asylum seekers".
216:. PNG Electoral Commission. Archived from
191:. National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
68:
747:Government ministers of Papua New Guinea
650:National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
39:National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
714:
519:"Manus governor blames transferees".
489:"Political waters hard to navigate".
294:"Nape refers Manus MP for defiance".
183:
181:
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446:Radio New Zealand News International
100:, before merging the party with the
33:politician. He has been Governor of
581:Australian Broadcasting Corporation
117:Election as Governor and third term
13:
625:"Manus gives PNC two more members"
245:. Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum
176:
121:Benjamin staged a comeback at the
14:
758:
504:"Manus to ditch deal on asylum".
399:"Manus bids for asylum seekers".
89:in June 1999, became part of the
16:For the fictional character, see
147:Nauru Regional Processing Centre
131:Manus Regional Processing Centre
51:Manus Regional Processing Centre
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87:Advance Papua New Guinea Party
55:Advance Papua New Guinea Party
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354:"Baing and Benjamin guilty".
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339:"MP s tribunal too costly".
91:People's Democratic Movement
59:People's Democratic Movement
29:(born 5 November 1964) is a
23:Papua New Guinean politician
7:
732:Governors of Manus Province
693:Member for Manus Provincial
461:Australian Associated Press
416:Australian Associated Press
211:"Nominations By Electorate"
189:"Hon. Charlie Benjamin, MP"
10:
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609:"Broken Men in Paradise".
369:"Tribunal rejects bribe".
102:People's National Congress
85:. Benjamin joined the new
63:People's National Congress
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309:"MP facing suspension".
57:(1999–2001, 2001–2003),
69:First and second terms
125:, defeating Governor
613:. 11 December 2016.
538:. 25 February 2014.
523:. 24 February 2014.
491:The Daily Telegraph
358:. 21 December 2006.
298:. 12 November 2004.
283:. 10 November 2004.
268:. 11 November 2004.
611:The New York Times
598:. 17 October 2015.
508:. 6 December 2013.
493:. 3 December 2013.
463:. 1 November 2012.
448:. 17 October 2012.
433:. 17 October 2012.
418:. 17 October 2012.
373:. 16 January 2007.
313:. 4 November 2005.
243:"PAPUA NEW GUINEA"
156:The New York Times
710:
709:
674:Succeeded by
583:. 2 October 2014.
568:. 14 August 2014.
403:. 15 August 2012.
264:"Chaotic House".
31:Papua New Guinean
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684:Preceded by
656:Preceded by
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478:. 6 August 2013.
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343:. 21 April 2006.
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65:(2003–present).
27:Charlie Benjamin
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631:. 17 July 2017
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218:the original
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193:. Retrieved
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139:Ronny Knight
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107:Jeffrey Nape
95:
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25:
727:1964 births
665:Member for
324:"Briefly".
143:Reza Berati
61:(2001) and
716:Categories
671:1997–2007
667:Manus Open
249:30 January
171:References
79:Bill Skate
43:Bill Skate
705:Incumbent
677:Job Pomat
629:Loop PNG
195:21 March
635:17 July
551:PACNEWS
227:15 June
221:(PDF)
214:(PDF)
637:2017
251:2017
229:2017
197:2017
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178:^
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20:.
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