‘If my public support for strong border protection measures helped sway Nauru’s decision, so be it’, says the Australian’s associate editor after interviewing Abyan

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The Australian’s associate editor Chris Kenny is the first foreign news reporter in 18 months to be granted a visa by the Nauruan government to visit the island.

Gillian Triggs: return of pregnant Somali refugee to Nauru is 'extraordinary' Read more

Kenny filed a story from Nauru for Tuesday’s Australian about his interview with the Somali refugee known as Abyan, who is pregnant as the result of an alleged rape on Nauru.

Since January 2014 foreign journalists have been required to pay an $8,000 application fee for a visa to visit Nauru, an increase of almost 2,000% on the previous fee.

The $8,000 is nonrefundable if the government refuses a visa. It has been a significant deterrent to journalists entering the country.

Asked by Guardian Australia how he obtained a visa to report from Nauru, Kenny said: “If my public support for strong border protection measures helped sway Nauru’s decision, so be it.

“My support for such policies accords with the majority of Australians but like the overwhelming majority of Australians, I would object to anyone being mistreated in our name.”

Chris Kenny (@chriskkenny) Forget activists' spin about Abyan versus government claims. Facts quite plain. https://t.co/bZTPbsdnpf

Abyan was flown to Australia last week for an abortion but was flown back without undergoing the procedure. She has denied saying she did not want a termination, and said she “never saw a doctor” before she was secretly flown out of Australia.

Kenny is the first journalist to interview the woman and he reported that she told him she does still want an abortion, but not in Australia. “Yes, I still want an abortion. But I don’t want Australia, I want to go to another country,” she was quoted as saying.

A spokesman for News Corp Australia would not comment on whether the Australian had paid the $8,000 visa fee.

Nauru lets local journalists into centre but keeps $8,000 fee for foreigners Read more

“Given concerns about the welfare of asylum seekers and conditions on Nauru I have been trying for six months to gain access,” Kenny said.

“I am very pleased the Nauruan government agreed to my request and I expect full access to people and facilities on the island.”

Chris Kenny (@chriskkenny) Chatting with refugees and locals in Nauru then watching #theirABC and Gillian Triggs making it up as they go along. #seriously

Kenny said Abyan was reluctant to speak to him at first but then agreed to an interview in which she confirmed claims by her lawyers that she did not change her mind about having an abortion.



“I was physically and mentally sick,” she said, “and I wanted to make sure I could make my health good first. I did not say ‘no’.”

“Five hours after the Australian’s interview, Nauruan authorities reported that Abyan complained about being visited by the media and had sought medical attention at the local hospital,” Kenny wrote.