The medevac legislation was repealed by the Senate following extensive debates and negotiations with crossbenchers. The repeal bill dismantles the legislation that was passed earlier this year which allowed doctors to determine whether refugees in offshore facilities should be transferred to Australia for medical treatment, with full discretion now to be returned to ministers. Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie, who held the crucial vote needed to repeal the laws, refused to reveal the details of her negotiations with the government, insisting it was a matter of national security and claiming that the outcome would improve medical treatment for refugees being held in offshore detention.
The medevac repeal has been widely condemned by Australian doctors and human rights and refugee advocacy organisations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed disappointment at the repeal and urged the government to accept New Zealand’s offer to resettle asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed that NZ’s longstanding offer to resettle refugees from Australia’s offshore detention locations remains on the table. When asked whether Australia would accept the offer, Prime Minister Scott Morison replied that Australia remains committed to ensuring those on Nauru are resettled. Further, Senator Lambie refused to respond to speculation regarding the New Zealand resettlement offer forming part of her medevac repeal negotiations.
The Australian Senate called on the government to expedite the asylum claims for two gay Saudi journalists and sought acknowledgement for the significant risk they face due to their sexuality. The two men have been detained for over a month following their arrival at an Australian airport on valid tourist visas. International news organisations have urged the Australian Government to grant the men asylum and release them from detention, warning that many media outlets around the world are closely monitoring this case.
A new report released by advocacy groups stated that Australia’s offshore detention regime will cost Australia taxpayers $1.2 billion over the next three years, on top of the $9 billion spent on offshore processing and onshore mandatory detention between 2016 and 2020. The ‘At What Cost’ report by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Save the Children and GetUp found the cost is equivalent to over $573,000 per year on each asylum seeker and refugee being held offshore, whereas detaining asylum seekers on the Australian mainland or keeping them in the community on bridging visas would be significantly cheaper.