Nauru's President David Adeang made a discreet visit to Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday, just days after the arrival of the first members of the NZYQ cohort to the Pacific Island nation. This visit follows serious allegations that bikie gangs secured a lucrative contract to provide security for former immigration detainees. Adeang arrived at the Senate Entrance shortly before 3 p.m. The visit was not publicly announced by either the Nauruan or Australian governments. As he entered the building, Adeang declined to answer questions from reporters. It is anticipated that he will meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, although neither office has confirmed these meetings. The backdrop to this visit includes allegations of corruption within the federal government’s offshore detention system. Reports have surfaced claiming that bikie gangs have infiltrated critical border security operations in Nauru, which recently struck a $2.5 billion deal to accept Australia’s foreign-born criminals. Concerns have been raised about the handling of contracts related to Nauru, with calls for these contracts to be referred to the national anti-corruption watchdog. Dr. Derek Elias, acting assistant secretary of Home Affairs, alleged that Australian taxpayers have funded millions for services that were either nonexistent or unnecessary, contributing to a system that enabled corruption among Nauruan politicians and Australian companies. When questioned about the corruption allegations, Prime Minister Albanese stated that the relevant minister would address the issue but noted that the claims pertain to a period before his government took office. The Albanese administration has faced criticism for its plan to deport the NZYQ cohort, a group of convicted criminals who cannot return to their home countries due to a High Court ruling that deemed their indefinite detention unlawful. Adeang confirmed that the first deportees arrived in Nauru two weeks ago, following expedited laws that stripped foreign-born criminals of their rights to fair process. The offices of Burke and the Prime Minister have been contacted for comments regarding Adeang's visit, but no responses have been received yet. Further developments are expected as the situation unfolds.
Nauru President Visits Australian Parliament Amid Controversy
Australia News3 hrs ago
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