Criticism
The policy received criticism from a number of areas, with Amnesty International, refugee rights groups and other non-governmental organisations claiming that Australia was failing to meet its international obligations. The ad-hoc nature in which the policy evolved was also criticised, as it resulted in people being moved to Manus Island and Nauru before facilities were ready. Poor facilities and services including intermittent electricity and fresh water, poor medical facilities and the serious mental impact of detention on people in these conditions without the certainty of being granted refugee status were also strongly criticised.
The cost of the Pacific Solution was over A$15.5 million in 2003/2004, taken from the AusAID budget of $69.9 million. The total cost of the Pacific Solution was put at more than $1 billion, with the cost per asylum seeker processed more than $500 000. This was far more expensive than housing and processing asylum seekers in Australia.
Read more about this topic: Pacific Solution
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