Fast-tracked medical transfers for asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru could be stalled indefinitely, with the Morrison government vowing to do "whatever it takes" to stop the changes taking effect. Labor and crossbench MPs are locked in discussions about making it easier for sick asylum seekers to be flown to Australia for treatment. The fragile alliance wants doctors, rather than politicians, to be the arbiters on medical transfers. They should have the numbers to secure the changes, which passed the Senate in December, when their crossbench amendments are put to a vote in the lower house on Tuesday. Six of the seven lower house crossbenchers need to vote in support. However, Labor has put the bill's passage in doubt by trying to make further changes at the last minute. The opposition wants to give ministers greater discretion over who comes to Australia, allow them more time to make decisions, and confine the changes to the current cohort in offshore detention. The Greens have declared they will not support the amendments as drafted, fearing they could make medical evacuations harder to secure. The changes will not pass without the Greens' support. However, the minor party is confident Labor is willing to compromise, by setting specific time limits for ministerial intervention and clearly defining the grounds on which medical transfers can be blocked. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is in a mess of his own making. "We've watched this show before," Mr Dutton told reporters at Parliament House. "We've watched it with Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard - they did exactly the same thing. At least Kevin Rudd waited until he got into office before he dismantled the government's successful border security measures." The medical evacuation changes will become law if the bill clears the lower house unchanged. However, if any amendments are made, the bill must return to the Senate for approval. Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann, the government's Senate leader, is prepared to use delaying tactics to halt the passage of the bill. "We are doing whatever it takes to prevent this bill from becoming law and you will, of course, see how these processes are going to evolve over the next 24 to 48 hours," he told reporters. "I know, as is always the case in this place, many people have made judgements about what they apparently know will happen, all I will say to you is, 'watch this space'. "As we did before Christmas, we will do everything we can to stop Bill Shorten from undermining our national security and our strong border protection arrangements." Prime Minister Scott Morrison says no mat ter what changes are made, the legislation won't be acceptable. "This bill is acceptable in absolutely no form; it only weakens our borders. I will not give a leave pass to this parliament to weaken our border security," he said. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said it was possible for Australia to have strong borders and treat refugees humanely. "The current government confuses stubbornness with strength." Australian Associated Press
Fast-tracked medical transfers for asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru could be stalled indefinitely, with the Morrison government vowing to do "whatever it takes" to stop the changes taking effect.
Labor and crossbench MPs are locked in discussions about making it easier for sick asylum seekers to be flown to Australia for treatment.
The fragile alliance wants doctors, rather than politicians, to be the arbiters on medical transfers.
They should have the numbers to secure the changes, which passed the Senate in December, when their crossbench amendments are put to a vote in the lower house on Tuesday.
Six of the seven lower house crossbenchers need to vote in support.
However, Labor has put the bill's passage in doubt by trying to make further changes at the last minute.
The opposition wants to give ministers greater discretion over who comes to Australia, allow them more time to make decisions, and confine the changes to the current cohort in offshore detention.
The Greens have declared they will not support the amendments as drafted, fearing they could make medical evacuations harder to secure.
The changes will not pass without the Greens' support.
However, the minor party is confident Labor is willing to compromise, by setting specific time limits for ministerial intervention and clearly defining the grounds on which medical transfers can be blocked.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is in a mess of his own making.
"We've watched this show before," Mr Dutton told reporters at Parliament House.
"We've watched it with Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard - they did exactly the same thing. At least Kevin Rudd waited until he got into office before he dismantled the government's successful border security measures."
The medical evacuation changes will become law if the bill clears the lower house unchanged.
However, if any amendments are made, the bill must return to the Senate for approval.
Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann, the government's Senate leader, is prepared to use delaying tactics to halt the passage of the bill.
"We are doing whatever it takes to prevent this bill from becoming law and you will, of course, see how these processes are going to evolve over the next 24 to 48 hours," he told reporters.
"I know, as is always the case in this place, many people have made judgements about what they apparently know will happen, all I will say to you is, 'watch this space'.
"As we did before Christmas, we will do everything we can to stop Bill Shorten from undermining our national security and our strong border protection arrangements."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says no matter what changes are made, the legislation won't be acceptable.
"This bill is acceptable in absolutely no form; it only weakens our borders. I will not give a leave pass to this parliament to weaken our border security," he said.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said it was possible for Australia to have strong borders and treat refugees humanely.
"The current government confuses stubbornness with strength."
Australian Associated Press
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