Overview

• Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke signed a memorandum of understanding in Nauru for the Pacific nation to accept members of the NZYQ cohort, with the agreement activating once the first transfers arrive.
• Nauru will receive an upfront $408 million payment from Australia plus about $70 million annually to fund long‑term residence and resettlement support.
• Legislation before parliament would suspend procedural fairness for decisions tied to third‑country reception arrangements, while leaving visa grant or cancellation reviews intact.
• The government says the measures address obstacles created by the 2023 High Court ruling on indefinite detention, with three planned removals to Nauru currently stalled by court challenges.
• The Human Rights Commission, refugee advocates, the Greens and opposition figures criticize the move as rushed and rights‑eroding, a Senate inquiry attempt was voted down, and one case has drawn a non‑binding UN order to halt deportation.