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 01 March 2022 to 31 March 2022.
During this reporting period, OSB intercepted no illegal maritime ventures and returned no potential illegal immigrants.
During this reporting period:
- no IMAs were transferred from Australia to a regional processing country, either as new arrivals or returning after temporary purpose in Australia;
- no IMAs voluntarily returned to their country of origin from a regional processing country;
- there were no IMAs transferred from a regional processing country to Australia for medical purposes or were an accompanying family member;
Australia's association with regional processing arrangements in PNG concluded on 31 December 2021, with management of the residual caseload in PNG transitioning to the full and independent responsibility of the PNG Government, effective 1 January 2022. Australia now supports regional processing arrangements in Nauru only.
Transitory persons under regional processing arrangements in Nauru are not in detention; all persons reside in community accommodation, with no restrictions on their movement. The processing of protection claims is a matter for the Government of Nauru.
