Asylum seekers recommended to Australia after medivac bill passed and Christmas Island reopening D
Hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers in offshore facilities have already gotten recommendations from doctors to be transferred to Australia under new medivac legislation.
Up to 300 asylum seekers from Manus Island and Nauru have obtained the crucial paperwork and are awaiting transfer, reported.
The sudden inlfux comes after the medivac bill passed through the Senate on Wednesday by 36 votes to 34.
Under the bill, detainees on Nauru and Manus Island will be able to seek medical or psychiatric assessment or treatment in Australia.
Hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers in offshore facilities have already gotten recommendations from doctors to be transferred to Australia under new medivac legislation pictured, Prime Minister Scott Morrison
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the governments medical contractor on Nauru International Health and Medical Services has experienced a surge of inquiries from Australian based doctors seeking medical records of the islands detainees boat carrying asylum seekers sailing in to Flying Fish Cover on Christmas Island on August 7, 2011
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the governments medical contractor on Nauru International Health and Medical Services has experienced a surge of inquiries from Australian based doctors seeking medical records of the islands detainees.
In other cases, paperwork for asylum seekers and refugees had been prepared well ahead of yesterdays passage of the bill, so the documents could be ready for lodgement as soon as the changes become law.
While the medivac bill comes as a win for doctors, detainees and social advocacy groups it comes as a blow to Prime Minister Scott Morrison who staunchly opposed the bill over fears it would re energise people smuggling to the country.
In a direct response, Mr Morrison confirmed steps had already been taken to reopen the Christmas Island detention facility and that action had been taken to strengthen Operation Sovereign Borders.
Bill Shorten has done what he has done out of manifest weakness, an inability to stand up to the left wing of his own party, the Greens and others who have applied pressure, Mr Morrison said on Wednesday.
He has no strength on this issue and he cannot be trusted to follow through on any of the border protection measures that our government has put in place.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton picked up the thread and warned news of the legal changes had already reached people smugglers as parliamentary debates were closely followed overseas.
He said the Christmas Island facility was on hot contingency alert for any new arrivals.
He also suggested the facility could be used to treat sick refugees.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton pictured picked up the thread and warned news of the legal changes had already reached people smugglers as parliamentary debates were closely followed overseas
I just say to people trying to put out the welcome mat for people smugglers, the medivac legislation applies for people who are already there. It does not apply to anyone new, Mr Shorten said
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten clapped back at the fear mongering claims.
He pointed out the medivac bill only applied to asylum seekers and refugees currently stranded on Manus Island and Nauru.
I just say to people trying to put out the welcome mat for people smugglers, the medivac legislation applies for people who are already there. It does not apply to anyone new, Mr Shorten said.
So if you think that by buying a ticket on an unsafe boat, paying a people smuggler, a criminal syndicate, youll get a better deal to come to Australia, youre wrong.
Labor frontbencher Brendan OConnor went one step further and accused Mr Morrison of actually talking down Australias border protection.
It is sending a message — he is advertising like the ad man he is — to people smugglers that business is open. And that is an outrageous act, Mr OConnor said.
In a direct response, Mr Morrison confirmed steps had already been taken to reopen the Christmas Island detention facility pictured and that action had been taken to strengthen Operation Sovereign Borders
Labor frontbencher Brendan OConnor went one step further and accused Mr Morrison of actually talking down Australias border protection pictured, sunken fishing vessel believed to be carrying asylum seekers off the beach at Cape Kimberley on August 27, 2018
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