Australia Signs $400M Deal to Deport 350+ Non-Citizens to Nauru

The Australian government, led by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, has signed a $408 million deal with Nauru to resettle over 350 non-citizens from the NZYQ cohort who were released from indefinite immigration detention following a 2023 High Court ruling that deemed such detention unlawful without a realistic prospect of deportation. Under the memorandum of understanding, Nauru will grant long-term visas and provide accommodation for these individuals, many of whom have criminal histories, while Australia will pay an upfront sum plus nearly $70 million annually to support ongoing resettlement costs and Nauru's economic resilience. The deal aims to manage this group, including those who cannot be returned to their countries of origin, and follows new legislation introduced to strengthen deportation powers, allowing the government to bypass natural justice requirements when third-country arrangements exist. Critics, including refugee advocates and political opponents, have condemned the secretive nature of the agreement and raised concerns about fairness, transparency, and the treatment of individuals who have served their sentences and reintegrated into communities. Minister Burke emphasized that maintaining a functioning visa system necessitates that anyone without a valid visa must leave Australia, framing the agreement as a necessary response to legal and public safety challenges. The agreement marks a significant and controversial step in Australia's immigration and deportation policy post-High Court decision.