Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697642365361.pdf (Australia)
Submission to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee REFUGEE ADVOCACY NETWORK Migration Legislation Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 The Refugee Advocacy Network is a Victorian based group which fosters collaboration and exchange between a number of community groups concerned about the current policy regime which denies people who seek asylum in Australia fair treatment and justice.
The RAN member groups are particularly concerned about the treatment of those who arrived by boat and have been now held for up to six years in PNG and on Nauru.

These people have been subject to abuse and many been driven to despair resulting in countless occasions of self-harm, including by children, and suicide attempts.

Tragically, some of these attempts have been successful.

There have been 12 avoidable deaths on Manus and Nauru, most due to poor medical care and/or delays in medical evacuation.
The numerous human rights reports over many years – and the Kids Off Nauru campaign – brought to light the terrible mental and physical health impacts of offshore arrangements, which leave people in a state of unending hopelessness and despair.

The deaths, and debilitation of so many people are the direct result of Australian government policy.
It is shocking to realise that these 12 deaths (with the exception of the murder of Reza Barati) were the result of inadequate medical treatment and failure to activate emergency evacuations when needed.
Instead of ensuring that people in these desperate circumstances got the care they needed, the Australian officials, under the direction of the Department for Home Affairs, undertook lengthy and costly court proceedings to prevent people from being evacuated for urgent medical treatment, resulting in the denial of treatment, and in some instances fatal delays.

This totally unacceptable approach was addressed in the Medical Transfers legislation passed earlier this year.
We understand that under this legislation nearly 100 people have been transferred for medical treatment, following detailed assessment and prioritisation.

No doubt millions of dollars have been saved also.

It is outlandish and disingenuous to refer to current Bill as ‘Repairing’ Medical Transfers – it was in fact the Medevac legislation that repaired the situation.
The repeal of the Medevac legislation would be a big step backwards and would only intensify the despair of those who continue to suffer on Nauru and in PNG.

Allowing the passage of this legislation would enable the return of people who receive medical treatment in Australia or elsewhere to PNG and Nauru.
This is unreasonable and unconscionable and would provide no resolution of this terrible situation – does Australia intend that these people are held against their will for the term of their natural lives.

Since when has Australia become inured to such blatant and deliberate denial of human rights.

The Refugee Advocacy Network is strongly opposed to the proposed amendment to overturn the Medevac legislation.
We need to be focussed on finding a resolution to the wicked Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 [Provisions]Submission 33 Submission to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee REFUGEE ADVOCACY NETWORK problem we have created with the offshore processing regime and denying people the medical treatment they need is no way to do this.
The offshore regime we have is a specific and deliberate breach of Article 31 of the Convention, which states that people who seek asylum should not be penalised for their mode of arrival in another country.

The Australian Parliament should not legislate injustice.

Legislators have a duty to consider the various impact of laws, and to avoid legislation that will harm innocent and vulnerable people.
Australia’s international reputation has been significantly damaged by years of knowingly inflicting harm on innocent people and by the coercing of our regional neighbours to co- operate.

We urge the members of the Senate Committee to stand for justice, and to reject this Bill.

Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 [Provisions]Submission 33