Australia is set to pass a law making it easier to deport non-citizens to third countries, drawing sharp criticism from rights groups who liken it to US policies under President Trump, Reuters reported.
The legislation removes procedural fairness in deportations, limiting court appeals. It follows a new resettlement deal with Nauru, where hundreds of people denied refugee visas over criminal records will be sent. Australia has pledged A$400m in an endowment fund and A$70m annually to support the scheme.
Critics warn the law could endanger refugees by denying healthcare and oversight, and potentially affect far more than the 350 non-citizens released after a 2023 High Court ruling. Independent lawmakers condemned the move as using Nauru, a tiny island nation reliant on foreign aid, as a “dumping ground”, according to Reuters.
