The Morrison government plans to get every asylum-seeker child off Nauru by the end of the year, according to Australia’s ambassador to the UK George Brandis.
At least four families have been , with the children now receiving care in an Adelaide hospital.
Earlier in the week, prime minister Scott Morrison confirmed his government was “quietly” working to get children off the Pacific island – one of Australia’s two main offshore centres for processing asylum seekers.
SBS News understands there are around 40 or 50 asylum seeker children left on Nauru, out of a population of more than 500. There are more than 500 asylum seekers and refugees on Manus Island, too.
The Morrison government plans to get every asylum-seeker child off Nauru by the end of the year. Source: Supplied/Kids off Nauru
Mr Morrison was asked about the plan on 2GB Radio on Thursday but did not confirm details.
"I haven't been showboating about it," he told the program.
He said Labor and others needed to show “respect” to locals on Nauru by not implying the local medical facilities were so bad they were inappropriate for asylum seekers.
SBS News contacted the Department of Home Affairs for more information earlier in the week, including on whether the families are only in Australia for temporary medical treatment.
UK High Commissioner George Brandis. Source: AAP
A spokesperson responded to the series of questions with a single line:
"The Department does not provide specific details on the transfer arrangements of individuals."
