Since publishing this episode, SBS has received the following from a Department of Home Affairs spokesperson.
• The current MoU with the Government of Nauru is subject to the Harman principle and is not publicly available at this time.
• The Government of Nauru has issued a number of Long Term Stay Visas – which are valid for a minimum period of 30 years – to support Third Country Reception Arrangement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Nauru.
• To support the arrangement, Australia and Nauru are in the process of finalising a Trust Fund, to which Australia will invest $388 million. $20 million has also been provided to the Government of Nauru to support the establishment of the arrangement.
• The Government of Nauru provides appropriate accommodation to settled persons on their arrival in line with Nauruan community standards. Settled persons are not held or detained. As residents in Nauru, Long Term Stay Visa holders have freedom of movement (including the ability to leave and re-enter Nauru), work rights, and can access a range of other services and supports available to all Nauruan residents. This includes welfare and health services provided by the Government of Nauru.
• The Government of Nauru has not provided a translation of President Adeang’s comments regarding the arrangement.
• The Government of Nauru’s Immigration (Long Term Stay Visa) Regulations 2025 state that the holder of a visa shall not be removed from Nauru where there is a risk of deprivation of life, death penalty, cruel or inhumane or degrading treatment, punishment or persecution, or chain refoulement.
