Australia Fast-Tracks Deportation Law Amid Human Rights Concerns

Australia’s parliament is set to pass a new law. It will make deporting non-citizens to third countries much easier. The move has drawn swift criticism from human rights advocates. It also revives a controversial offshore processing policy.

Australia Deportation Law: A New Legal Framework

The law is expected to pass on Thursday. It removes key procedural fairness requirements. This is designed to limit court appeals for those facing deportation.

The government says it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the migration system. The opposition Liberal Party has agreed to support the move. This ensures its passage through parliament.

The legal change follows a 2023 High Court ruling. That ruling found indefinite immigration detention was unlawful. It resulted in the release of about 350 non-citizens into the community.

Nauru Resettlement Deal and Financial Terms

This law directly enables a new deal with Nauru. Australia signed the agreement last Friday. It will resettle hundreds of people denied refugee visas due to criminal convictions.

Australia will pay Nauru an upfront A$400 million. This establishes an endowment fund for the scheme. Annual costs will add another A$70 million.

Nauru is heavily reliant on foreign aid. Two-thirds of its revenue last year came from hosting an Australian-funded asylum seeker center. The island nation has a population of just 12,000.

Widespread Criticism and Potential Impact

Human rights groups have condemned the plan. They compare it to policies from the Trump era. Critics call it a “dumping” of refugees on small island states.

The Law Council of Australia has expressed serious concerns. President Juliana Warner called the law “troubling.” She warned it risks deportees not receiving necessary healthcare in Nauru.

Independent lawmakers fear the law’s scope could widen. It might eventually apply to tens of thousands of people in Australia without a visa, far beyond the initial 350.

The new Australia deportation law marks a significant hardening of immigration policy, drawing intense scrutiny for its human rights implications and its reliance on third-country agreements.

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What is the new Australia deportation law?

It is a law that makes it easier to deport non-citizens to third countries. It limits court appeals and removes some procedural fairness requirements. The goal is to streamline the deportation process.

Which country is involved in the new resettlement scheme?

Nauru is the first country to agree to a new resettlement scheme. Australia will pay Nauru hundreds of millions of dollars to accept deportees who cannot be returned to their home countries.

Why are human rights groups criticizing the plan?

Groups say the policy risks deporting people to places with inadequate healthcare. They argue it uses small, aid-reliant nations as “dumping grounds” and avoids international obligations.

Who could be affected by this law?

Initially, it targets non-citizens released after a High Court ruling. This includes people with criminal convictions or refused visas on character grounds who cannot return to their home country.

How much is the Nauru deal worth?

Australia will provide an upfront payment of A$400 million to establish a fund. It will also pay A$70 million per year to cover ongoing costs of the resettlement program.