MEDIA RELEASE: First deportation under multi-billion dollar Nauru deal a dark new chapter for Australia

Human rights organisations have condemned the Albanese Government’s first deportation to Nauru under its new secret offshore deal, calling it a shameful breach of Australia’s values of fairness, equality and justice. This is the first known deportation under the Government’s recently expanded Nauru regime – a secretive and multi-billion-dollar arrangement that allows people to be banished offshore.

Earlier today it was reported that Nauru’s President, David Adeang, told the Nauruan Parliament last Friday that the first person had arrived under the new offshore detention deal. The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, which supports people seeking asylum held on Nauru, had heard reports of an arrival but has been unable to confirm or make contact with the individual. The organisation holds serious concerns for the person’s wellbeing, safety and current whereabouts. 

The Albanese Government made a secret deal with Nauru for the transfer of migrants and refugees in the so-called NZYQ cohort. The deal was signed alongside new laws allowing deportations to occur without any consideration of the consequences people would face, such as whether a person might die without proper medical care, be permanently separated from their families, or face persecution in Nauru.

It was revealed in estimates it could cost up to $7 billion, and there are serious concerns about corruption risks tied to past offshore detention contracts, including payments to companies linked to criminal organisations. 

The organisations are calling on the Albanese Government to immediately halt deportations to Nauru, end offshore detention once and for all, and uphold equal treatment under our laws. Australians voted against fear and division at the last election, and they will not accept the return of cruel, secretive policies that punish people for seeking safety.

Jana Favero, Deputy CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre said: 

“This kind of ICE-like behaviour ripping people from our community is not in line with what our community expects from our government. This is a scary, shocking precedent, and it is not what people voted for in the recent Federal election.  

Deportations are life-changing –  we all know people who weren’t born here, who we consider as part of our community. It’s another blatant example of politicians trying to distract us from the real issues and demonising migrants – and they are spending billions of dollars in secrecy to do it.”  

Laura John, Associate Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre said:

“The Albanese Government has today demonstrated it is willing to completely disregard the basic rights of migrants and refugees, and ignore serious questions about the lawfulness and safety of its deportation deal, by condemning the first person to exile in Nauru. The government’s mass deportation plans have been shrouded in secrecy from the outset to ensure that it does not have to grapple with the real, human consequences of its actions.  

“Some people facing deportation to Nauru have lived in Australia for most of their lives, others are stateless with no other home, and some have serious health conditions meaning they will likely die in Nauru. They should not be subjected to lifelong suffering. Our rights should be the same, regardless of visa status.”

Sarah Dale, RACS Centre Director & Principal Solicitor said:

“There have been many dark days in our immigration history: 24 August 2001, 19 July 2013 and now we add 24 October 2025 to that list. It is a day when our country chose exile over basic principles of humanity. This should shake to the core anyone who cares about the rights of refugees in our community.  

We do not seek to deny the complexity of the situation for many of the people in this cohort. However, exile, family separation, significant ill-health and possible return to a fate of torture or death – none of these should be an acceptable outcome for any human being. It’s yet another dire chapter added to the horror story of Australia’s deplorable Offshore Detention policy.”

Paul Power, CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia said:

“The people being sent to Nauru are being sentenced to a lifetime of exile. We know from 25 years of Australian involvement in extended offshore detention that this inevitably will be disastrous for the people involved and will be yet another dark stain on Australia’s international reputation.”

For media enquiries call Natasha Blucher on 0412 034 821