Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

Detailed information for each of the first 11 flights used to transfer asylum seekers to Nauru during the period 13 September to 19 October 2012 is provided in the attached file.

Overall for the 11 flights, ten flights were from Christmas Island and one flight departed direct from Darwin to Nauru. The Airbus A319 operated by Skytraders was utilised for six of the flights and the Boeing 737-300 operated by Adagold Pty Ltd for five flights.

For the period 13 September to 19 October 2012, 365 asylum seekers were transferred to Nauru. The numbers and cohort of the asylum seekers were: Sri Lanka (215), Iraq (23), Iran (26), Afghanistan (58) and Pakistan (43).

On each flight escort duties were provided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). At least two interpreters were on the flights to Nauru. Two medical staff and two departmental staff were also onboard all flights to Nauru.

The total direct cost of the 11 flights used to transfer asylum seekers to Nauru during the period 13 September to 19 October 2012 is $3 171 018. The cost of each individual flight ranges from $209 125 to $572 900.

Question on Notice 2508: Charter Transfers to Nauru over the period 13 September to 19 October 2012