Police and the army in Papua New Guinea are removing asylum seekers from the Manus Island detention centre.

Hundreds of men have been living in squalor for weeks, refusing to leave the facility for a new one.

Speaking with 4BC’s Ray Hadley, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirmed the situation.

“There is a police operation up on Manus at the moment. We’re very keen for people to move out of the Manus Regional Processing Centre.

“I think it’s outrageous that people are still there. They have trashed the facility.

“They’re living in squalor and the Australian taxpayers have paid about $10-million  for a new facility and we want people to move.”

Prominent Australians have written to the Prime Minister and Opposition leader asking for the men to receive medical attention.

“They think by staying that somehow they’re going to exert pressure on us, and some of them believe if there’s violence with police the footage will be broadcast back here and that will twist our arm and we’ll change the policy position.

“Under no circumstance will these people be coming to Australia and that’s a final decision.”

Listen to the full interview below