Australia spent more than $9m for each asylum seeker held on Nauru last year – so why can’t they afford to buy food?
A new survey reveals that asylum seekers held on Nauru by the Australian government are struggling to afford basic food and water. Despite the high per-person cost of detention, many refugees report skipping meals to survive.
Why it matters
This highlights significant humanitarian concerns and potential fiscal mismanagement regarding Australia's offshore detention policies.
The Budapest hotel houses some of the asylum seekers and refugees sent to Nauru while they await processing. The ASRC survey includes reports of substandard accommodation facilities. Photograph: Supplied The Budapest hotel houses some of the asylum seekers and refugees sent to Nauru while they await processing. The ASRC survey includes reports of substandard accommodation facilities. Photograph: Supplied Nauru Australia spent more than $9m for each asylum seeker held on Nauru last year – so why can’t they afford to buy food? Many of the more than 100 people awaiting processing on the tiny Pacific island are skipping meals to make ends meet, a new survey has found
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