Australia will deport three violent criminals – including a convicted murderer – to Nauru following a landmark High Court ruling that bars indefinite detention of unsafe immigrants. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the men received 30-year visas to the Pacific nation, sparking fierce debates about public safety and deportation policy limitations.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton criticized the move as inadequate, stating:
“Only three criminals are being removed while 200+ high-risk immigrants remain in our communities.”
The 2023 NZYQ v Commonwealth decision forced Australia to release over 200 immigrants who couldn’t be deported due to:
- Safety risks in home countries (Afghanistan)
- Forced return refusals (Iran)
- Statelessness (Rohingya cases)
Authorities now use Nauru as an offshore solution through a confidential financial agreement. Refugee advocates confirm the three men – from Iraq, Iran, and an unspecified nation – are already “seeking legal intervention” to block deportations.
This crisis arises five months before federal elections, with the government facing pressure over:
- Reoffenses by released immigrants
- $160 million annual asylum processing costs in Nauru
- Migrant rights vs. community protection balance
Nauru’s President David Adeang has yet to disclose details about the new resettlement arrangements. Meanwhile, Australia maintains its controversial “Operation Sovereign Borders” policy, which detains boat arrivals offshore despite the recent court-mandated releases.
