Nauru to take members of NZYQ cohort in resettlement deal

A trio of violent offenders are in immigration detention awaiting deportation to Nauru, while the Immigration Minister remains mum on the cost of the deal.

A trio of violent offenders are in immigration detention awaiting deportation to Nauru, after the Albanese government struck a resettlement deal with its tiny Pacific neighbour.

The three offenders, one of which was convicted of murder, are members of the NZYQ cohort staying in Australia on bridging visas.

Tony Burke on Sunday confirmed their visas have been cancelled and they would be flown to Nauru “as soon as possible”.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed three violent offenders staying in Australia on bridging visas will be deported to Nauru. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“Yesterday, Nauru issued three 30 year visas for members of this cohort,” the Home Affairs Minister told reporters in Canberra.

“The issuing of those Nauruan visas immediately cancelled by law the visa that they were on (in Australia) and as a result, there was an obligation on my officials to take them into detention overnight.

“Officers of the Australian Border Force have detained all three, and all three are now in immigration detention.

“They will be put on a plane and sent to Nauru as soon as arrangements are able to be made.”

Mr Burke said the deportations were a “reminder” that having a right to stay in Australia hinged on a “character test”.

“As Australia’s Immigration Minister, I don’t have unlimited places for people and there are many good people who want to come to Australia who don’t get visas,” he said.

“When somebody has come and treated Australians in a way that is show an appalling character, their visas do get cancelled and when their visas are cancelled, they should leave.”

Australia has long-relied on Nauru for offshore visa processing. Picture: Republic of Nauru.

The group was among at least 150 visa holders convicted of serious crimes released from detention under a landmark High Court decision in 2023.

With no foreseeable options for deportation, they were effectively being detained indefinitely.

The High Court ruled the limbo unlawful.

The individuals would be housed in a facility separate to Australia’s offshore centre in Nauru.

They would also have the freedom to “move around the island” and the right to work.

Mr Burke did not say what Nauru was getting in return for resettling the three deportees, but said there was a “cost”.

“There’s an arrangement with Nauru, as is the case, and has been the case for many, many years,” he said.

“We don’t go through the details of the costs involved with that.”

He added that there was also a cost “in the high level of monitoring under Operation Aegis”.

“There was also a cost when they were being held in detention,” Mr Burke said.

“There was a cost before that when they were being held in prison.

“But no cost has been greater than the cost to the Australian community of their crimes.”

Nauruan President David Ranibok Adeang (left) visited Australia late last year to ink a major bilateral treaty with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right). Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The Australian Border Force jointly set up Operation Aegis with the Australian Federal Police after the High Court’s 2023 ruling.

It imposed curfews on the detainees and used electronic ankle bracelets for monitoring.

Mr Burke said a legal challenge was par for the course, but maintained he was confident the action would hold up with legislative changes passed since the ruling.

Originally published as Nauru to take members of NZYQ cohort in resettlement deal