Australia’s House of Representatives voted in favour of the government’s bid to repeal the Medevac legislation. The decision came after days of parliamentary debate, as well as the release of a report highlighting the scale of mental health problems on Manus Island and Nauru. The report, from the independent health advice panel overseeing medical transfers for asylum seekers being held offshore, found that the majority of medical admissions were for mental health conditions. The government’s bid to repeal the medevac transfer laws will now proceed to the Senate.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, conducted his first official visit to Australia. In discussions with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, an agreement was reached to establish a timeline for the full closure of immigration detention facilities on Manus Island, though no specific dates were agreed to. Speaking as part of the delegation from PNG, Charlie Benjamin, governor of Manus Island, argued that the need to resettle refugees currently on the island was urgent, stating that PNG was ready to assist Australia if it accepted New Zealand’s renewed offer to resettle up to 150 refugees.
Scott Morrison rejected the offer from New Zealand, arguing that it would weaken border security, while Liberal backbencher Russell Broadbent stated that he would like to see his party pursuing the offer, declaring that Australia could not continue with indefinite detention.