IMAs transferred to Nauru for offshore processing

The Australian Government said yesterday that the 157 illegal maritime arrivals (IMAs) who were transferred to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection facilities in Curtin earlier this week have been transferred to Nauru overnight for offshore processing.

Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison said that the 157 IMAs were transferred following their refusal to meet Indian consular officials. “They will never, ever be resettled in Australia” Morrison said adding that there was no discussion with the Sri Lankan government about taking back the people on the boat.

The Australian High Commission in Colombo, in a statement said that the Australian Government created a rare opportunity with the Government of India for the 157 people who were on that voyage from India, including 50 children, to go back to where they had been living in safety in India, where they have family and friends, rather than go to Nauru.

“It is very disappointing that after having had access to their legal representatives on July 29, all 157 IMAs coincidentally chose not to talk to Indian consular officials. Legal representation for this group is not being funded by the taxpayer,” the statement said.