sorryTHE federal government has today announced a “one-off” deal with the US to resettle asylum seekers from Manus Island and Nauru.
Under the deal, which follows talks with the US, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand, the US will take some asylum seekers found to be refugees.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull this morning confirmed “that the government has reached a further third country resettlement arrangement for refugees presently in the regional processing centres”.
“It’s a one off,” Mr Turnbull said.
“The arrangements with the United States will offer the opportunity for refugees, both on Nauru and Manus, to be resettled but I should stress that the priority is very much on the most vulnerable which are family units and, of course, they are located on Nauru.
“This agreement is built on the security of our borders.”
Mr Turnbull said “American officials from Homeland Security (will be) coming to Australia to begin the process in the next few days”.
The announcement comes after US Secretary of State US John Kerry confirmed he has agreed to consider referrals from the UNHCR on refugees who are being detained in Australia’s offshore detention centres.
Australia and US asylum seeker resettlement deal

