Immigration minister Peter Dutton announced that approximately 7500 asylum seekers have until 1 October to formally apply for protection, or face deportation from Australia. Refugee lawyers criticised the move, arguing that many of these asylum seekers were barred from lodging applications until late 2016, with legal centres now overwhelmed by demand.
The Guardian obtained internal working documents from the Manus Island detention centre revealing that a year-long plan has existed to make the site progressively more inhospitable for detainees. The documents, from camp manager Broadspectrum and security contractor Wilson, detail a strategy to pressure the 829 detainees to either resettle in PNG or abandon their asylum claims.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection confirmed that shots were fired into the Manus Island immigration detention centre on Good Friday. Department secretary Mike Pezzullo reported that nine people were injured in the shooting, including two refugees.
Senate Estimates heard further details about the United States resettlement deal. While exact resettlement numbers have not been confirmed, the legal and constitutional affairs committee was told that 1440 refugees from Manus Island and Nauru have applied.