An Afghan refugee on Manus Island was stabbed with a screwdriver in his shoulders, back and neck after refusing to hand over his phone to three men in the town of Lorengau. The man was given basic treatment at Lorengau hospital but began to have breathing difficulties after he returned to the accommodation compound. Fellow refugees called a doctor in Australia for medical advice, claiming later that cutbacks to Australian-funded medical services on the island forced them to do so.
Meanwhile, the Australian Medical Students Association protested against Australia's offshore detention system. The group argued that the policy is unacceptable and inhumane.
Sky News reported that the Australian Government asked New Zealand to keep its offer of resettling 150 refugees on the table, despite refusing the offer in public. Government papers obtained by Sky News showed the Australian Government wanted a backup plan in case the US resettlement deal was unsuccessful.
Shadow Minister for Immigration Shayne Neumann said the Labor Party supports all eligible refugees having the option to apply for resettlement in the US, including those who are in Australia for medical treatment. Neumann argued that such a policy would allow refugee families separated between offshore detention and Australia to be reunited.
In international news, US National Guard members started arriving at the US-Mexico border, following a direction by President Donald Trump. On Trump's orders, Defense Secretary James Mattis authorised the funding for up to 4000 National Guard troops for the operation to stop migrant crossings.