More families transferred to Nauru for processing

Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship today confirmed the second and third transfers of family groups under the regional settlement arrangement (RSA) to Nauru.

The two groups of Lebanese, Iranian and Afghan nationals arrived at the regional processing centre in Nauru today where they will be accommodated while their claims are processed by the Nauruan Government.

A spokesman for the department said the third transfer of a family group under the RSA confirmed that everyone who arrives after July 19 would be transferred to a regional processing centre once health checks are complete.

“This latest transfer to Nauru sends the clearest possible message that coming to Australia by boat is not the way to gain Australian residency, and children or family groups will not be exempt from transfer,” the spokesman said.

“Exempting them would simply encourage people smugglers to put children on boats to Australia.”

Under the RSA, anyone – including unaccompanied minors – who seeks to bypass proper migration pathways and instead pay people smugglers for a boat trip to Australia will be liable for transfer to a regional processing country.

The spokesman said there is no cap on the number of people who can be transferred to a regional processing country and transfers will continue on a regular basis.

“If people are paying thousands and thousands of dollars to a people smuggler, they are buying a ticket to a country other than Australia,” the spokesman said.

“Coming to Australia by boat is not the way to gain Australian residency.”

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