New agreement to secure our region from maritime people smuggling
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Hon Karen Andrews, MP., Australia's Minister for Home
Affairs
Hon Lionel Rouwen Aingimea, MP., President of the Republic of
Nauru and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
24 September 2021
New agreement to
secure our region from maritime people smuggling
The Australian and Nauruan Governments have today signed a
memorandum of understanding to establish an enduring regional
processing capability in Nauru.
Regional processing is a key pillar of the Australian
Government's strong border protection policies. Under Operation
Sovereign Borders, people who attempt to travel to Australia
illegally by boat are turned back, or transferred to a regional
processing country for assessment of asylum claims.
The new memorandum of understanding provides a framework for a
continuing regional processing presence in Nauru and demonstrates
both countries' continued commitment to countering maritime people
smuggling.
"This is a significant step for both our countries and I thank
President Aingimea for his ongoing commitment to regional
leadership in stamping out the threat of maritime people
smuggling," Minister Andrews said.
"Australia's strong and successful border protection policies
under Operation Sovereign Borders remain and there is zero chance
of settlement in Australia for anyone who arrives illegally by
boat.
"Anyone who attempts an illegal maritime journey to Australia
will be turned back, or taken to Nauru for processing. They will
never settle in Australia."
His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Nauru,
Honourable Lionel Aingimea said that: "Although, this Memorandum of
Understanding extends the bilateral arrangement, which has already
been in existence since 2012, it now creates an enduring form of
offshore processing. This takes the regional processing to a new
milestone. It is enduring in nature, as such the mechanisms are
ready to deal with illegal migrants immediately upon their arrival
in Nauru from Australia."
In addition, the President also reaffirmed that "Nauru has
worked together with Australia to ensure that those who are
successful in their asylum applications are settled in third
countries and not in Australia."
Due to the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic, the memorandum was signed
today in a joint ceremony taking place online.
For further information:
Minister Andrews: Lachlan McNaughton 0457 494 414; Campbell
Massie 0481 918 612