On Monday 3rd December, Independent MP for Wentworth Dr Kerryn Phelps will introduce a bill into Federal Parliament that will get #KidsOffNauru and give the power for two independent doctors to order the transfer of sick patients from Nauru and Manus Island to Australia for urgent medical treatment.
The bill will be introduced some time between 10am - 12pm, which is the time allocated for Private Members Bills.
The bill will be introduced some time between 10am - 12pm, which is the time allocated for Private Members Bills.
The medical crisis in the offshore camps continues to worsen. Twelve people have died in offshore detention in the last five years. A Qld coronial inquest has found that at least one person died because they weren’t transferred to Australia in time for treatment. In spite of the dire risks to life, the Australian government spends hundreds of thousands of dollars in the courts attempting to stop medical transfers.
Phelp’s bill, which amends the Migration Act, is a vital chance to end the medical emergency on Nauru and Manus Island and bring desperately sick people to Australia for much needed treatment. The bill has the support of the cross bench (excluding Bob Katter) and with the support of Labor and one Liberal MP, it will pass the lower house.
It’s not clear when the Bill will be debated, but this Monday morning, at 10am, we are going to take to the lawns of Parliament house to demand that Trent Zimmerman do the right thing and Back the Bill!
It’s not clear when the Bill will be debated, but this Monday morning, at 10am, we are going to take to the lawns of Parliament house to demand that Trent Zimmerman do the right thing and Back the Bill!
