World Immigration News

(The Guardian)Australia spent more than $9m for each asylum seeker held on Nauru last year – so why can’t they afford to buy food?

Release Date
2026-07-20
Media
The Guardian
Summary
A survey by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) found that most asylum seekers held on Nauru cannot afford enough food or safe drinking water despite Australia spending about A$9.6 million per person on offshore processing last financial year. Because they are not allowed to work, many rely on government allowances that are insufficient to cover the island’s high living costs. The ASRC criticized the offshore detention system as inhumane, while the Australian government said detainees are treated with dignity and that support payments are regularly reviewed.
Tags
Australia