Australian government loses bill blocking ill asylum seekers

The Australian government lost major votes on a bill for evacuating sick refugees held in offshore facilities, to be transferred to Australia for medical treatment. For over a decade, this is the first time a government has lost vote on its own legislation in the lower house.

The move is a push forward for PM Scott Morrison’s minority government’s immigration policy, which is highly controversial. Australia has sent asylum seekers arriving by boat to detention centres on Nauru and Papua New Guinea, since 2013. Doctors have been warned regarding the insufficiency of medical facilities on the islands, while the UN has previously described the camp conditions as “inhumane”.

“There is no form of this bill that does not weaken our border protection.” said Mr Morrison. He also added that it could help criminals and terrorists enter the country.

Sunaya Paison
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