Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Australia and Nauru sign MOU for a regional processing centre in Nauru

Posted at 22:54 on 29 August, 2012 UTC

Australia and Nauru have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a regional processing centre in Nauru.

The MOU was signed in Rarotonga earlier today by Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs and for Foreign Affairs Richard Marles, and the Nauru Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Dr Kieren Keke.

The MOU is the next step in implementing the recommendations of an expert panel on asylum seekers and an important development in setting up the regional processing centre for irregular maritime arrivals in Nauru.

The signing today formalises this arrangement between Australia and Nauru.