SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia on Sunday defended a A$2.5 billion ($1.62 billion) deal to deport hundreds of non-citizens to the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru over the next 30 years, a plan criticised by human rights groups.

Australia's centre-left Labor government in September signed the deal with Nauru to resettle people denied refugee visas because of criminal convictions, reviving claims that Australia was "dumping" refugees in small island states.

"I've gone and inspected personally the accommodation and inspected the health facilities there and the standard there is good," Burke told Australian Broadcasting Corp television.

Human Rights Watch said in September that asylum seekers forcibly transferred to Nauru by Australia had died from medical neglect and suicide.

Nauru business owne

See Full Page