NAURU — The Nauruan government issued a statement describing the island nation as friendly and welcoming after Australian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie presented allegations of threats and mistreatment against non-citizens relocated to Nauru. Mr. Wilkie used a three-minute constituency statement to share claims from an anonymous whistleblower.
Mr. Wilkie told parliament, "They were said with a tone and gravity that indicated, at best, an indifference to the dignity and wellbeing of the removed cohort, and at worst, an active desire to cause them serious harm." He said the whistleblower reported, "The threats included comments that those removed were absolute fucking pieces of shit, who in Nauru would be mistreated in such a way to make very clear how they are going to be managed for the rest of their lives." Wilkie added, "I came to understand that those responsible for overseeing the removed cohort had a fundamental lack of respect for the humanity and rights of the cohort." The whistleblower cited employment security and physical safety as reasons for maintaining anonymity.
Currently, 12 men, who were formerly held in Australian immigration detention until a 2023 high court ruling, reside in a former regional processing center in northern Nauru. Australian authorities have been applying for 30-year Nauruan visas for approximately 350 former detainees since February 2025. Department officials stated during Senate estimates that more than 30 individuals have been returned to immigration detention after receiving a visa.
Tony Kellisar, a 64-year-old Iranian-born refugee convicted of murder in 1999, began a hunger strike and sewed his lips shut in protest of conditions at the facility. He said, "The situation is demoralising due to the isolated location and the terrible state of medical care." A department spokesperson stated that Nauru is responsible for managing the cohort upon arrival and has established processes for physical and mental health support for settled persons. This spokesperson added that banking access is managed by the Commonwealth Bank and that Nauru issues travel documents.
Australia and Nauru signed a memorandum of understanding costing at least $2.5 billion over 30 years, subject to a public interest immunity claim. Approximately $20 million of the initial payment was allocated to the Nauruan government to facilitate settlement, and $388 million was placed in a jointly managed sovereign trust fund. The trust fund will receive $70 million annually from Australia for 30 years, in addition to a $1,000 annual fee for each long-stay visa. Ben Biddington, first assistant secretary at the department, confirmed he authorized a $31.5 million withdrawal from the trust fund. Government documents indicate $22.7 million of this withdrawal went to the finance department and $1.9 million went to the president's office. The agreement includes a provision allowing Australia to reclaim funds if Nauru fails to fulfill its obligations.