This statement provides an update on Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB) activities related to the on-water reception and processing of illegal maritime arrivals (IMAs).
The reporting period is from 1 December 2018 to 31 December 2018.
During this reporting period there were no IMAs transferred to Australian Immigration authorities.
No IMAs were transferred to a regional processing country.
Four IMA detainees, who arrived in Australia before 1 January 2014, were voluntarily removed from Australia. There were no IMA detainees involuntarily removed from Australia to their country of origin, consistent with Australia’s obligations.
Between 1 December 2018 and 31 December 2018, zero IMAs voluntarily returned to their country of origin from a regional processing country.
As at 31 December 2018, there was a total of 10 people in the Nauru RPC. The Manus RPC closed on 31 October 2017.
The processing of refugee claims are matters for the governments of PNG and Nauru.
In August 2016, the Sri Lankan Navy intercepted a vessel with six passengers on board who allegedly intended to travel unlawfully to Australia. In December 2018, the Sri Lankan Maritime and Human Smuggling Investigation Unit (MHSIU) advised the Australian Federal Police that they had arrested a male Sri Lankan national in relation to this interception. The man was charged with “facilitating persons to leave Sri Lanka” contrary to section 45C of the Immigrants and Emigrants Act.
