Why are refugees trapped in Nauru?

The refugees camp on the Greek-Macedonian border in Idomeni

The refugees camp on the Greek-Macedonian border in Idomeni, Macedonia is allowing only restricted entry to refugees. Source: LightRocket

The Prime Minister stands firm on his government’s refugee policy in an exclusive interview with SBS News. Australia’s offshore detention policy is shaping up as a key election issue, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison has delivered a rebuke to crossbenchers calling for the removal of children from Nauru, declaring: “you don't negotiate your borders. You don't do that. You don't get to negotiate with people smugglers. You have to have very clear and unambiguous policies, and this is the problem that often happens in this place, they don't understand that these issues are dealt with in very absolute terms." Kerryn Phelps, the independent candidate and likely winner of the Wentworth by-election, has continued her calls for the Coalition to remove the remaining children and their families off Nauru. She now forms part of a significant bloc with crossbench MPs calling on the government to end its detention policies there. Mujeeb Muneeb has looked at the history of detentions and has a full report that you can listen to it here.



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