Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned the agreement was not “secret”, although he did not reveal the duration of the deal.

Last year, the government passed a suite of laws that included granting the government additional powers for deportation.

Deal ‘dehumanising’ for asylum seekers

“It prompts questions regarding the legal rights that our government believes migrants and refugees should have, compared to the rest of the population.

Greens senator David Shoebridge said the Nauru deportation deal is “dehumanising”. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

“The system has well and truly had its pound of flesh from this group of people, and I think it is high time that we all collectively draw a line,” she said.

“There is indeed a significant portion of people in that group with mostly minor criminal records, some dating back to their childhood, who have lived peacefully within the community for ten years or more,” she remarked.

An upfront payment of $408 million has been assured by Australia to facilitate the movement of ex-detainees to Nauru, with an annual $70 million covering ongoing expenses. Source: AAP / Ben McKay

Greens immigration spokesperson David Shoebridge said it was a “dehumanising deal”.