Australia is preparing to deploy a member of the NZYQ cohort to Nauru within a few weeks. This ruling represents an important victory on a bad, contentious immigration deal. This new arrangement will set taxpayers back an estimated $2.5 billion. It includes the resettlement of 358 former detainees who now reside in Australia. The agreement is meant to provide much-needed fiscal assistance to Nauru. Shared ownership of this undersea internet cable is projected to bring long term revenue to the small island nation.
So far, under the treaty to send deportees to Nauru, it’s required that Nauru receive $408 million in payments once its first deportee arrives. Beyond the initial payment, Australia will spend an additional $70 million annually over the 30 ensuing years. This commitment will be realized only if a significant number of deportees decide to make the island home. As of 2016, Nauru has a population of just under 12,000. Rather than seek to re-detain arrivals from abroad, the country is poised to embrace newcomers as friends and family members.
Financial Implications of the Deal
Aside from the cash injection, the overall financial framework of the agreement is designed to benefit Nauru in a number of ways. Most of the money will be put into a trust. This trust will accrue interest, providing an ongoing, renewable source of revenue for the island nation. According to Nauruan budget papers, this deal is projected to “generate large-scale revenues over the long-term,” bolstering the local economy.
Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke has been keen to stress how simple the agreement is. He continued, “It’s not rocket science, when your visa is cancelled, you go home. This Expedited removal statement provably demonstrates the Australian government’s desire to speed up the process of deporting people whose visas have been cancelled.
Plus the deportation plan would cost well over $7 million per person if we deport everyone in the cohort. Given this astounding sum, the sustainability of these financial promises must be closely examined. The arrangement requires careful management to ensure that it serves both Australian interests and supports Nauru’s economic stability.
Challenges and Legal Hurdles
Three members of the NZYQ cohort have already been issued with Nauruan visas, as part of a test case for the new immigration powers. Yet, their deportation continues to be held up due to their legal challenges on an individual basis. A fourth member was recently re-detained by immigration officials after they were granted a visa. Such complications only underscore the challenge to come in executing the comprehensive resettlement plan.
The High Court’s recent decision to overturn a 20-year precedent on the indefinite detention of non-citizens unable to return home has added another layer of challenge. This ruling is representative of the changing tide of immigration law in Australia, as well as the overwhelming factors surrounding future deportations.
Clare Sharp, an official involved in the resettlement discussions, commented on the approach towards integration: “We want that to succeed in a way that’s sustainable for Nauru, which doesn’t mean moving a really large number of people in one hit.” This strategy aims to make sure that Nauru is best prepared to deal with new residents so that Nauru’s resources won’t be stretched too thin.
Community Integration and Future Prospects
Once deported, the people from the NZYQ cohort will be incorporated into Nauru’s existing community, with no arrangements for re-detention. This part of the agreement has been met with divided responses between local residents and human rights activists. To others, it is a missed opportunity to develop a long-term economic strategy. In part, that’s because advocates are hopeful about the scale and scope of this influx.
Now that the first deportee is reportedly getting ready to leave, both Nauru and Australia seem intent on keeping it all quiet. The long-term success of this arrangement hinges on how well these individuals are received and supported in their new environment.
