Accelerating the Removal of Non-Citizens from Third Countries in Australia
Nauru, a tiny island nation with a population of 12,000 and a land area of just 21 square km (eight square miles), has found itself at the centre of a contentious issue. Two-thirds of Nauru's revenue last year came from hosting an Australian-funded processing centre for asylum seekers. This reliance on foreign aid, coupled with a new Australian law aimed at easing deportations, has raised concerns about the welfare of those being sent offshore.
The planned new law, expected to be passed by Australia on Thursday, removes procedural fairness when deporting a non-citizen to a third country and is designed to limit court appeals. This has been met with criticism from the Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner, who finds the proposed deportation law "troubling" due to potential risks to the health care of those sent to Nauru.
One such individual is a 65-year-old Iraqi man, who lost a High Court appeal against deportation to Nauru on Wednesday. Under the new Nauru resettlement scheme, visas were cancelled for individuals who served prison sentences or were refused visas on character grounds and cannot return to countries including Iran, Myanmar, and Iraq due to the risk of persecution.
The government of Australia has signed a deal with Nauru to resettle hundreds of people who fall into this category. However, independent lawmaker Monique Ryan has expressed concern about the possibility of stateless individuals and refugees who had never been convicted of a crime being sent offshore without proper oversight.
In an effort to address these concerns, Australia will provide A$400 million to establish an endowment fund for the resettlement scheme, along with A$70 million in annual costs, according to Nauruan President David Adeang. This move is intended to provide a more secure future for those being resettled.
The Australian Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, is promoting the new regulation on naturalization of non-citizens in third countries. The deal with Nauru marks a significant step towards addressing the backlog of asylum seekers in Australia and providing a viable solution for those who cannot return to their countries of origin.
However, the issue remains a complex one, with concerns about the welfare and rights of those being resettled. As the debate continues, it is hoped that a balance can be struck between the need for a secure and orderly migration process and the protection of the rights and wellbeing of those involved.
