Seven Iranian families arrive on the Pacific island as part of the federal government's hardline resettlement plan
The federal government has begun sending families to Nauru as part of its hardline resettlement plan.
The immigration department says the seven Iranian families – made up of 14 adults and 12 children – landed in Nauru on Wednesday morning.
They will have separate accommodation from other asylum seekers already detained on the island.
A department spokesman defended the move, saying exempting children would only encourage people smugglers to change strategies.
"This latest transfer to Nauru sends the clearest possible message that coming to Australia by boat is not the way to gain Australian residency and children or family groups will not be exempted from transfer," he said.
