Australia Spends $9M Per Asylum Seeker on Nauru

The Australian government spent more than $9 million for each asylum seeker held on Nauru in the last financial year, yet many of the over 100 individuals awaiting asylum claim processing on the Pacific island report being unable to afford adequate food or clean drinking water. A new survey conducted by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) found that a significant portion of these individuals are skipping meals to manage their limited finances.

These asylum seekers have been indefinitely detained on Nauru as their cases are processed. The ASRC's "Hungry For Freedom" survey highlights the stark contrast between the substantial government expenditure and the daily struggles faced by the detainees. The report indicates that the allowance provided is insufficient to cover basic necessities like food and water, forcing individuals into difficult choices that impact their well-being.

The findings raise serious questions about the allocation of resources and the living conditions provided to asylum seekers under Australia's offshore processing policy. Despite the high per-person cost, the basic needs of those detained on Nauru appear to be unmet, leading to a humanitarian concern regarding food security and access to essential resources. The ASRC's advocacy aims to draw attention to these conditions and push for improved support for the asylum seekers.