Coalition urged to terminate Canstruct contract to end financial ‘black hole’ on Nauru

The Australian government has not said if Canstruct’s contract for ‘garrison and welfare services’ on Nauru will be extended until all resettlements are complete. Photograph: Jason Oxenham/AP

The government must end the “moral and financial black hole” on Nauru by ceasing its contract with Canstruct and returning those on Nauru to Australia in the wake of the New Zealand refugee resettlement deal, human rights groups say.

Asked on Friday whether it would end the Canstruct contract for “garrison and welfare services”, which has so far cost taxpayers almost $2bn, the government declined to answer.