More families flee from Carteret Islands' rising sea

[Stacey King]

ABC RADIO Pacific Beat Updated June 2, 2011 16:57:42

The call by the Solomon Islands opposition leader for more effort helping displaced Pacific Islanders rather than asylum seekers from outside the region is gaining support.

Dr Derek Sikua made the comments while criticising a push by the Solomon Islands Government to open a processing centre on behalf of Australia on Stirling Island.

His comments have resonated with the people of the Carteret Islands in PNG's Bougainville region, where another five families are preparing to leave to escape rising sea levels.

Here's some of what Dr Sikua told Pacific Beat about the issue.

Presenter: Cameron Wilson
Speakers: Dr Derek Sikua, Solomon Islands Opposition Leader; Ursula Rakova director of the group Tulele Peisa

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