The newly-empowered crossbench, led by the new member for Wentworth Dr Kerryn Phelps MP, have been pressuring the Government to, on medical advice, remove all refugee children from offshore processing centres on Manus Island and Nauru.
In a change that would amend existing Home Affairs legislation, the bill would compel ministers to more readily approve transfers for refugees where medical advice suggests that they should do so.
Due to an alliance of the Opposition, the Greens and key crossbenchers on this bill, the Government faces the prospect of losing the vote on legislation in the floor of the House of Representatives for the first time in almost 90 years.
‘I will do whatever I can. I will fight them using whatever tool or tactic I have available to me to ensure that we do not undermine our border protection laws’,said the Prime Minister in a press conference on Thursday.
Independent Senator Tim Storer commented that the amendments would not jeopardise the security of Australia’s borders, and that ‘time is running out… the situation on Nauru has reached critical point. Action is needed now’.
Currently undergoing amendments in the Senate, the legislation will be reconsidered by the House of Representatives in 2019.
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