Grave Concern about Nauru offshore processing – ACRT welcomes Senate Inquiry into Offshore Processing of Refugees
The Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT), an initiative of the National Council of Churches in Australia, has raised serious concerns about the Government’s renewed offshore arrangements with the Pacific Island nation of Nauru. Churches across Australia remain united in affirming that hospitality and care for people seeking refugee and asylum is a core Christian responsibility grounded in our inherent human dignity.
Recent statements from the Nauruan government have suggested that people transferred offshore by Australia may be returned to their countries of origin. This would constitute refoulement and breach Australia’s obligations under international law. The United Nations has made clear that Australia retains full responsibility for people transferred offshore, regardless of any political arrangements.
These concerns are compounded by reports of corruption and inadequate oversight linked to the Nauru arrangement. Millions of Australian taxpayers’ money is at risk of being squandered. The Australian Government is spending $790 million on an American private prison company to warehouse just 100 refugees on Nauru.
The current Senate Inquiry into Offshore Processing is timely and very welcome. Its primary focus is on payments, the awarding of contracts and the integrity of the system. More importantly, however, from the ACRT’s perspective is the harm, cruelty and abuse of human rights that is occurring.
While acknowledging that some individuals in the NZYQ cohort have criminal convictions, Australia’s justice system has already imposed appropriate sentences. Once those sentences are completed, fundamental principles of justice, rehabilitation, and human dignity must still apply. Punishing people again through permanent offshore exile undermines the rule of law and Australia’s moral and legal obligations.
The ACRT is calling on the Australian Government to suspend transfers to Nauru, return affected individuals to Australia for safe and fair processing, and undertake a comprehensive review of offshore processing in collaboration with the UNHCR and civil society. These steps are essential if Australia’s policies are to reflect both our international responsibilities and our shared moral values.
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre has a resource on how to make a submission. Submissions to the Inquiry close on 13 February 2026.