A trio of violent offenders are in immigration detention awaiting deportation to Nauru, after the Albanese government struck a resettlement deal with its tiny Pacific neighbour.
The three offenders, one of which was convicted of murder, are members of the NZYQ cohort and were staying in Australia on bridging visas.
Tony Burke on Sunday confirmed their visas have been cancelled and were expected to be flown to Nauru.
“Yesterday, Nauru issued three 30 year visas for members of this cohort,” the Home Affairs Minister told reporters in Canberra.
“The issuing of those Nauruan visas immediately cancelled by law the visa that they were on (in Australia) and as a result, there was an obligation on my officials to take them into detention overnight.
“Officers of the Australian Border Force have detained all three, and all three are now in immigration detention.
“They will be put on a plane and sent to Nauru as soon as arrangements are able to be made.”
Mr Burke said it would not be within a week but “but it will be as soon as possible”.
More to come.
