Australia played a key role in shaping the agreement, serving as Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body and representing the Western Pacific region.
The inquiry examined the health and economic responses; while it did not directly delve into the state responses, it did cover the federal-state interface.
The government says the visas will be capped at 5,000 at any one time and targeted at critical skill shortages in sectors such as healthcare, education, engineering and information technology.
Australian authorities reportedly decided to use a dedicated charter flight because some of the detainees were considered “non-compliant and disruptive”, making it difficult and unsafe
