Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697641462936.pdf (Australia)
Attention Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs I wish as a private citizen to make a submission to the Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers Bill 2019 In the first instance I find it astonishing that this legislation is being further debated.
As the government responsible for confining people fleeing harm or death in their own countries in indefinite detention on small off-shore islands, Australia has at the very least a responsibility to provide medical support for those unfortunate enough to be incarcerated.
The present move to change this legislation smacks shamefully of nothing more than bruised ego on the part of the present government, as there is simply no objective basis for the political arguments the government has mounted to support its move to amend the legislation.

It is embarrassing that our government is so small-minded as to choose to spend time, energy and tax-payer dollars in an attempt to undo this legislation.
Despite dubious politically motivated claims to the contrary from government ministers, it has been proven time and again that medical services on Manus and Nauru are limited and cannot provide for the urgent needs of seriously ill people detained on those islands, including treatment for the growing number of those suffering severe mental health problems.

The governor of Manus Island acknowledges this.


Prior to this legislation, requests by asylum seekers and refugees for transfer to Australia for urgent medical treatment were frequently stalled by bureaucratic prevarication.

In many cases where transfers for medical treatment were finally agreed to this only happened after long delays and following costly court battles.
It has been estimated that up to a dozen people have died on Manus and Nauru as a result of inadequate medical treatment or delays in medical transfer.

Since the passage of the Medevac legislation at last count the government had approved 90 medical transfers.

Of the 20 it refused, 13 were upheld by an 8 person government appointed panel.

The Medevac legislation is extremely modest and hedged with safeguards to prevent the floods of refugees some ministers have warned against.
It allows only for temporary transfer and there is certainly no objective evidence to show that it has presented any threat to national security or community safety or weakened the government’s control of Australia’s borders.

We certainly do not have ‘murderers, rapists and paedophiles’ let in and roaming our streets as claimed by Mr Dutton.

And, after all, as Minister he can refused entry under the legislation on security of character grounds.
In conclusion, Medevac is operating well, and does not need amending or repealing.

.On the contrary it is providing appropriate medical care unavailable on Manus or Nauru to very ill people Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 [Provisions]Submission 76 What apart from loss of face is the government afraid of here?

Please let us show a statesmanlike and humane response to this situation and leave the legislation as passed by parliament.
Yours faithfully Noel Pratt Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 [Provisions]Submission 76