Australia Faces $2.5 Billion Bill for nauru Deportation Deal
CANBERRA – A deal too deport individuals to Nauru is projected to cost Australian taxpayers $2.5 billion over the next 30 years, government officials revealed during a snap parliamentary inquiry on thursday. The significant figure, encompassing both resettlement costs and interest on a trust fund established for Nauru, has drawn sharp criticism from across the political spectrum.
Department officials where questioned regarding a bill currently before parliament seeking to bolster the government’s deportation powers. The proposed legislation would remove the requirement to provide procedural fairness – a fair hearing - to non-citizens facing removal to a third country, specifically where “third country reception arrangements” are in place.
Autonomous Senator David Pocock expressed disbelief at the projected cost, stating the total amount “sounded ‘totally bonkers, like, nuts’.” He added, “This is an remarkable amount of money.”
The agreement centers around the resettlement of members of the NZYQ cohort – individuals previously held in Australian immigration detention after the High Court ruled in 2023 that indefinite detention of those with no reasonable prospect of removal was unlawful.Many in the cohort have a history of violent offending, but have completed their sentences.
In February, the government announced a trial resettlement agreement with Nauru for three members of the cohort, intended as a test case for new laws passed last year. However, all three men remain in Australia pending the outcome of separate legal challenges to their deportation.While the bill has faced strong opposition from human rights lawyers, advocates, the Greens, and crossbenchers who warn it erodes crucial checks and balances, the Coalition has indicated it is indeed likely to support its passage following the committee hearing.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley acknowledged the $2.5 billion sum as “a huge amount of money… to fix up a problem [the government] created,” but stated the Coalition was “ready to help” resolve the situation, emphasizing a desire to prevent these individuals from remaining in Australia.
The debate highlights the complex legal and financial challenges surrounding the deportation of non-citizens and the ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the High Court’s ruling on indefinite detention.