Archived Media Release
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER
AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION

6 August 2013

REGIONAL RESETTLEMENT ARRANGEMENT WITH NAURU

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has signed an Arrangement with the President of the Republic of Nauru Baron Waqa regarding unauthorised maritime arrivals.

Unauthorised maritime arrivals to Australia will now be sent to Papua New Guinea or Nauru for assessment of their refugee claims.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed to by Australia and Nauru, is in broadly similar terms to the arrangements with Papua New Guinea.

This MOU strengthens the regional approach taken by the Australian Government.

Under the Arrangement, it will now be possible for asylum seekers to not only be processed in Nauru, if they are found to be in need of protection, they could also be settled there.

In the first instance, the Government will focus on transferees in family groups and unaccompanied minors for settlement.

It is clear that the only way to deal with the challenge of people smuggling is through a comprehensive regional approach.

A cornerstone of this regional approach is to ensure people smugglers do not have a product to sell because people that come by boat without a visa will not be settled in Australia.

The Australian Government has always said that people smugglers would continue to test our resolve.

This announcement is a reminder of the full strength of the resolve of the Australian Government.

Media inquiries:
Ray Marcelo, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175