1 Jun 2005

Australia tight-lipped about forced repatriation option for Nauru detainees

6:46 pm on 1 June 2005

Australian immigration officials are refusing to say whether they've had talks with the Government of Nauru about the possible forced repatriation of detainees on the island.

46 people remain in Australia's offshore processing centre on Nauru awaiting outcomes for their cases, following the rejection of their claims for refugee status.

The Immigration Department has said any decision on involuntary repatriation would have to be made by Nauru.

Nauru's said it won't be pursuing this and no-one's asked it to.

The Immigration Department itself won't discuss the matter, saying it's not appropriate to speculate or comment about possible discussions between governments.