REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has signed an Arrangement with the President of the Republic of Nauru Baron Waqa regarding unauthorised maritime arrivals, according to a written statement from Australlian Embassy in Jakarta. 

Unauthorised maritime arrivals to Australia will now be sent to Papua New Guinea or Nauru for assessment of their refugee claims. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed to by Australia and Nauru, is in broadly similar terms to the arrangements with Papua New Guinea. This MOU strengthens the regional approach taken by the Australian Government.

Under the Arrangement, it will now be possible for asylum seekers to not only be processed in Nauru, if they are found to be in need of protection, they could also be settled there. In the first instance, the Government will focus on transferees in family groups and unaccompanied minors for settlement. It is clear that the only way to deal with the challenge of people smuggling is through a comprehensive regional approach.

On Wednesday, Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship has confirmed the successful transfer to Papua New Guinea of a third group of 39 asylum seekers subject to new regional settlement arrangement. The charter flight, with the group of 39 single adult men – consisting of 34 Iranians, four Pakistanis and an Afghan – escorted by the Australian Federal Police, DIAC staff, interpreters and medical staff, departed Christmas Island about 1 am on Wednesday.

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