Refugee Rights Action Network WA
- AAP
- September 28, 201211:12AM
The first group of asylum seekers have been transferred from Christmas Island to Nauru, as part of new offshore processing arrangements.
Nauru reopens for asylum seekers
The transfer of asylum seekers to Nauru will be the first since Labor abolished offshore processing in 2008.
More Sri Lankan asylum seekers arrived in Nauru today. Picture: Brad Hunter Source: News Limited
THE biggest group of asylum seekers have arrived since offshore processing was restored, as more were being transferred to Nauru.
Australian authorities have intercepted an asylum seeker boat carrying 195 people and three crew.
This is the biggest number asylum seekers to arrive on a single boat since the government announced on August 13 it would restore offshore processing on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island.
HMAS Broome boarded the vessel northwest of Christmas Island on Friday morning, after the boat sought assistance.
The passengers will be taken to Christmas Island for security, health and identity checks.
Their arrival comes after a fifth group of asylum seekers arrived on Nauru, taking the total number of people sent to the Pacific island for offshore processing to 151.
The 31 male Sri Lankan asylum seekers arrived on a chartered aircraft from Darwin on Friday morning, the immigration department said in a statement.
It was the first transfer of asylum seekers to Nauru to depart from the Australian mainland.
The men were being settled into accommodation at the temporary facility on the island.
The federal government last month committed to offshore processing of asylum seekers who arrive in Australian waters by boat on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island.The government expects about 500 asylum seekers will be at the Nauru facility by the end of September.Nauru has capacity for 1500 people, and once Manus Island is in operation it will be able to take 600 people.
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