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| Doctors voice support for Phelps bill: 'Lives are at stake – the politicking must stop' – politics live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Given all the misinformation flying around about the crossbench medical transfer bill, it’s worthwhile taking the time to spell out what it does. | |
| The bill (changes initially proposed by Kerryn Phelps and amended by Tim Storer, Labor and others have been added to a piece of government legislation in the Senate) sets out new procedures governing medical transfers from offshore detention. | |
| As Amy has pointed out, the government has been trying to create an impression that two doctors decide, entirely on their own volition, who comes to Australia and who doesn’t. To put it bluntly, that’s complete bollocks. | |
| It’s correct to say that the bill envisages giving two or more treating doctors the capacity to recommend a transfer of an ill person to Australia for treatment. | |
| If you read the legislation, this is what happens next. | |
| Within 24 hours of being notified that a person should be transferred, “the minister must approve, or refuse to approve, the person’s transfer to Australia”. | |
| The minister must approve the transfer unless the minister “reasonably believes that it is not necessary to remove the person from a regional processing country for appropriate medical or psychiatric assessment or treatment; or “the minister reasonably believes that the transfer os the person to Australia would be prejudicial to security within the meaning of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, including because an adverse security assessment in respect of the person is in force under that Act”. | |
| So there’s two grounds of ministerial refusal: one general and one specific. | |
| If the minister refuses the transfer on the ground that is is not medically necessary, the issue then goes to an Independent Health Advice Panel. | |
| That panel conducts another clinical assessment. Back to the legislation to explain what happens next. | |
| “If the panel recommends that the person’s transfer be approved, the minister must approve the person’s transfer to Australia unless the minister reasonably believes that the transfer of the person to Australia would be prejudicial to security within the meaning of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, including because an adverse security assessment in respect of the person is in force under that Act”. | |
| Now who is on this panel? The legislation says the Commonwealth’s chief medical officer, the surgeon general of Australian Border Force, the chief medical officer of the home affairs department, and not less than six other members, including people nominated by the AMA, the college of psychiatrists, the college of physicians and one specialist in paediatric health. | |
| So to summarise: | |
| * Doctors can recommend medical transfers. | |
| * The minister can then refuse a transfer on two grounds, one general (I don’t agree) and one specific (security grounds). | |
| * If the refusal falls in the I don’t agree category, then it goes to a medical panel comprised of the CMO, the surgeon general of border force and other specialists. | |
| * If the panel says the transfer should proceed on medical grounds, then that overrides the minister, except if there is a negative security assessment on the individual. | |
| You’re welcome. | |
| Speaking to Sky News, Dr Paul Bauert explained the doctors concerns: | |
| The longer these people are there, the worse they are getting. We know that the main, the main reason for the impairment of mental health, as Viktor Frankl, the psychiatrist from Auschwitz described very well in his book, Man’s search for meaning, the main problem these people have is the lack of meaning, the lack of any end to what is going on. A lack of certainty. | |
| And this more than anything causes severe mental health damage. Even those that finally knew they were about to be condemned to the gas chamber, at least found some sense of relief in knowing what was happening. | |
| “So, all of these people without any idea of what is going to happen to them, what their future is, will be suffering on a daily basis. And we have seen from some of the television shows, and the media that have followed them, once they have been released, that all of them end up with severe, significant mental health problems which will take a long, long time to settle, with most having post-traumatic stress disorder. | |
| “I am concerned, all the doctors are concerned, that the longer this politicking goes on, the longer these people are left in this critical situation, the worse their health is becoming.” | |
| It is worth revisiting this interview Kathrine Murphy did with Paul Bauert late last year: | |
| Paediatrician Paul Bauert has spent days roaming the corridors of Parliament House trying to get politicians to focus on what’s happening on Nauru. | |
| There’s a recurrent observation from the political class that chills him. In an interview with Guardian Australia’s Politics Live podcast, he says: “It almost brings me to tears when one of the politicians, or one of the politician’s minders ask me … ‘Do you think it will take a death before things change?’ | |
| “I cannot, for the life of me, understand where that thinking comes from, truly: ‘Do you think it will take a death?’” | |
| This is happening in Adelaide today: | |
| Witness list for Day 1 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Safety and Quality #auspol pic.twitter.com/2H8BpjyKHH | |
| Dr Paul Bauert on those who need urgent treatment: | Dr Paul Bauert on those who need urgent treatment: |
| We know that 24 of them are in a hospital facility at the moment, with two of them comatose. And the fact that 4,500 thousand doctors have spent their weekend signing a letter and sending it in, shows the frustration of the medical profession with the politicking that has been going on with this issue for far too long. | |
| Lives are at stake. The politicking must stop. There is an opportunity with Dr Phelps’s approach to this issue for the politicking to stop and that we get a clear, well organised system where these unwell patients, critically unwell patients, receive the treatment that they deserve. | |
| Doctors are back in Canberra. Why? | Doctors are back in Canberra. Why? |
| Because the medivac legislation is in danger of falling to politics. | Because the medivac legislation is in danger of falling to politics. |
| Dr Paul Bauert, of the AMA federal executive, is a paediatrician who has led a lot of the fight on behalf of the medical community. | |
| He answers the question of why a paediatrician is so involved – because some of those on Manus Island were children when he first started treating them, and they’re still there. | He answers the question of why a paediatrician is so involved – because some of those on Manus Island were children when he first started treating them, and they’re still there. |
| GetUp has funded a television advertising campaign, featuring doctors and others, to run this week in a bid to get the politicians who were in support of the bill to hold their ground – which means it is aimed squarely at Labor and Cathy McGowan. The other crossbenchers have already locked in their support. | GetUp has funded a television advertising campaign, featuring doctors and others, to run this week in a bid to get the politicians who were in support of the bill to hold their ground – which means it is aimed squarely at Labor and Cathy McGowan. The other crossbenchers have already locked in their support. |
| Scott Morrison: | Scott Morrison: |
| The spirit of cooperation reaches right back to the first world war, but this program brings a new depth to that partnership through a multi-decade program to build and sustain these submarines in Australia. It is more than a contract. This is a project that will not only keep Australians safe, but it will deliver Australian jobs. | The spirit of cooperation reaches right back to the first world war, but this program brings a new depth to that partnership through a multi-decade program to build and sustain these submarines in Australia. It is more than a contract. This is a project that will not only keep Australians safe, but it will deliver Australian jobs. |
| It will build Australian skills. It will … require Australian steel, and it will mean a stronger Royal Australian Navy. | It will build Australian skills. It will … require Australian steel, and it will mean a stronger Royal Australian Navy. |
| Our government is committed to maximising Australian industry content in the future submarine program. This was a conscious decision of our government. Beyond construction, the program will provide Australia with an independent, sovereign capability to sustain our fleet, including the upskilling of Navy and industry workforces. | Our government is committed to maximising Australian industry content in the future submarine program. This was a conscious decision of our government. Beyond construction, the program will provide Australia with an independent, sovereign capability to sustain our fleet, including the upskilling of Navy and industry workforces. |
| We will see long-term strategic cooperation, not only in defence industry, as I know Minister Ciobo will be excited about, but across other sectors, creating even more jobs through more high tech, high-paying jobs. | We will see long-term strategic cooperation, not only in defence industry, as I know Minister Ciobo will be excited about, but across other sectors, creating even more jobs through more high tech, high-paying jobs. |
| Hundreds of Australians are already employed on the future submarines program, and thousands more will be through the supply chain during the construction phase. | Hundreds of Australians are already employed on the future submarines program, and thousands more will be through the supply chain during the construction phase. |
| The prime minister is in Canberra signing the $50bn “strategic partnership” with France to build our new submarines. | The prime minister is in Canberra signing the $50bn “strategic partnership” with France to build our new submarines. |
| On that speech to be made by Scott Morrison, it’s all about national security, both domestically and abroad. | On that speech to be made by Scott Morrison, it’s all about national security, both domestically and abroad. |
| It ends with this: | It ends with this: |
| In conclusion, national security is all about making the right decisions. Because, as a government and as a prime minister, you have to make them every day. | In conclusion, national security is all about making the right decisions. Because, as a government and as a prime minister, you have to make them every day. |
| You make these decisions on the basis of your values, instincts, experience and, when required, courage. | You make these decisions on the basis of your values, instincts, experience and, when required, courage. |
| Our government has demonstrated we have the mettle to make the right calls on our nation’s security: | Our government has demonstrated we have the mettle to make the right calls on our nation’s security: |
| Repairing our borders | Repairing our borders |
| Investing in our defence forces | Investing in our defence forces |
| Deporting violent criminals | Deporting violent criminals |
| Taking on domestic violence | Taking on domestic violence |
| Disrupting terrorist attacks | Disrupting terrorist attacks |
| Restoring powers and resources to our police, security and intelligence agencies | Restoring powers and resources to our police, security and intelligence agencies |
| Repairing our borders | Repairing our borders |
| Investing in our defence forces | Investing in our defence forces |
| Deporting violent criminals | Deporting violent criminals |
| Taking on domestic violence | Taking on domestic violence |
| Disrupting terrorist attacks | Disrupting terrorist attacks |
| Restoring powers and resources to our police, security and intelligence agencies | Restoring powers and resources to our police, security and intelligence agencies |
| Repairing our borders | Repairing our borders |
| Investing in our defence forces | Investing in our defence forces |
| Deporting violent criminals | Deporting violent criminals |
| Taking on domestic violence | Taking on domestic violence |
| Disrupting terrorist attacks | Disrupting terrorist attacks |
| Restoring powers and resources to our police, security and intelligence agencies | Restoring powers and resources to our police, security and intelligence agencies |
| We have led, not followed. | We have led, not followed. |
| We have taken decisions rather than put them off to another day. | We have taken decisions rather than put them off to another day. |
| We have embraced tough calls rather than seeking to buy weak compromises for cheap political cover or opportunism. | We have embraced tough calls rather than seeking to buy weak compromises for cheap political cover or opportunism. |
| This is our form. It is why we can be trusted. | This is our form. It is why we can be trusted. |
| The plan I have announced today is built on our strong record and sets out plainly what a re-elected Morrison Liberal National government will continue to do to keep Australians safe and secure. | The plan I have announced today is built on our strong record and sets out plainly what a re-elected Morrison Liberal National government will continue to do to keep Australians safe and secure. |
| And, for those asking, Scott Morrison will address the National Press Club at 12.30. | And, for those asking, Scott Morrison will address the National Press Club at 12.30. |
| Chris Bowen will be speaking at 11.10. | Chris Bowen will be speaking at 11.10. |
| A key part of the medivac bill that is being deliberately muddied is that any asylum seekers or refugee (and, let’s remember, the majority have been independently found to be refugees) being brought here for medical treatment will be wandering around the community. | A key part of the medivac bill that is being deliberately muddied is that any asylum seekers or refugee (and, let’s remember, the majority have been independently found to be refugees) being brought here for medical treatment will be wandering around the community. |
| They won’t be. They’ll remain in detention. They’ll be in detention in Australia, being treated in detention. | They won’t be. They’ll remain in detention. They’ll be in detention in Australia, being treated in detention. |
| The government has also attempted to lie and say Bob Brown and Richard Di Natale could be the two doctors signing off on any medical evacuations. Also not true, because Di Natale isn’t even registered. | The government has also attempted to lie and say Bob Brown and Richard Di Natale could be the two doctors signing off on any medical evacuations. Also not true, because Di Natale isn’t even registered. |
| Christopher Pyne and David Coleman spent their Sunday interviews saying the bill would result in almost all of the 1,000 or so people in our care on Manus Island and Nauru would come to Australia under the changes. But they refused to say whether that meant all those people were sick enough to need treatment. | Christopher Pyne and David Coleman spent their Sunday interviews saying the bill would result in almost all of the 1,000 or so people in our care on Manus Island and Nauru would come to Australia under the changes. But they refused to say whether that meant all those people were sick enough to need treatment. |
| Because you can’t have it both ways. If it is true that nearly all the asylum seekers and refugees will come to Australia for medical treatment under these changes, it means they are all sick enough to warrant doctors, and an independent health panel (if an evacuation is challenged by the minister) deciding they need to be treated in Australia. Which means they are not receiving the treatment they need on Manus Island or Nauru. If they aren’t sick, ill, or suffering from extreme mental health distress, then they won’t be evacuated for Australia. | Because you can’t have it both ways. If it is true that nearly all the asylum seekers and refugees will come to Australia for medical treatment under these changes, it means they are all sick enough to warrant doctors, and an independent health panel (if an evacuation is challenged by the minister) deciding they need to be treated in Australia. Which means they are not receiving the treatment they need on Manus Island or Nauru. If they aren’t sick, ill, or suffering from extreme mental health distress, then they won’t be evacuated for Australia. |
| You can’t have it both ways. | You can’t have it both ways. |
| OSB has worked as an overall model. The offshore component is an integral part, but has been poorly executed.The current cohorts on Manus & Nauru can be dealt with easily without risking border security, so do it, re-set the clock & maintain the model. Not difficult at all. | OSB has worked as an overall model. The offshore component is an integral part, but has been poorly executed.The current cohorts on Manus & Nauru can be dealt with easily without risking border security, so do it, re-set the clock & maintain the model. Not difficult at all. |
| And just on that, Chris Bowen will be up shortly, to talk banking royal commission and extra sitting weeks. | And just on that, Chris Bowen will be up shortly, to talk banking royal commission and extra sitting weeks. |
| Labor is still pushing for an extra sitting fortnight in March and the government is still very, very against it. | Labor is still pushing for an extra sitting fortnight in March and the government is still very, very against it. |
| This, as is everything in this minority parliament, is a numbers game. | This, as is everything in this minority parliament, is a numbers game. |
| Bob Katter is the key vote. Every other crossbencher is on board, so if Katter votes yes, then we are coming back in March. If it comes to that – the government is working very hard to say it doesn’t need to come back, and that it will not rush legislation for the banking royal commission. On Sunday, Christopher Pyne told Insiders there were over 40 pieces of legislation which would be needed to address the 76 recommendations and admitted that that was not going to happen before the May election. | Bob Katter is the key vote. Every other crossbencher is on board, so if Katter votes yes, then we are coming back in March. If it comes to that – the government is working very hard to say it doesn’t need to come back, and that it will not rush legislation for the banking royal commission. On Sunday, Christopher Pyne told Insiders there were over 40 pieces of legislation which would be needed to address the 76 recommendations and admitted that that was not going to happen before the May election. |
| The AWU raids case is in the federal court today. | The AWU raids case is in the federal court today. |
| Michaelia Cash, despite attempts to fight it, has been subpoenaed to give evidence. | Michaelia Cash, despite attempts to fight it, has been subpoenaed to give evidence. |
| The AWU is attempting to have the raids, and anything they found, declared unlawful. | The AWU is attempting to have the raids, and anything they found, declared unlawful. |
| And opening the “I don’t know what you are talking about, that was never a thing (while shuffling away the thing)” box, this is also something that happened: | And opening the “I don’t know what you are talking about, that was never a thing (while shuffling away the thing)” box, this is also something that happened: |
| The government has backed away from two explicit commitments to establish a register to help stamp out multi-national tax avoidance – by claiming there was never a commitment in the first place. | The government has backed away from two explicit commitments to establish a register to help stamp out multi-national tax avoidance – by claiming there was never a commitment in the first place. |
| Announced by Kelly O’Dwyer in the lead-up to the 2016 federal election, the register was to bring Australia in line with G20 commitments on transparency, by publicly listing the identities of who ultimately owned shell companies and benefitted from them, including for tax purposes. | Announced by Kelly O’Dwyer in the lead-up to the 2016 federal election, the register was to bring Australia in line with G20 commitments on transparency, by publicly listing the identities of who ultimately owned shell companies and benefitted from them, including for tax purposes. |
| In April 2016, O’Dwyer, then assistant treasurer, said “we agree there needs to be a registry of beneficial ownership in our country”, as the government was attempting to hose down local voter outrage over multinational tax avoidance. | In April 2016, O’Dwyer, then assistant treasurer, said “we agree there needs to be a registry of beneficial ownership in our country”, as the government was attempting to hose down local voter outrage over multinational tax avoidance. |
| Since then, progress on the register has stalled. | Since then, progress on the register has stalled. |
| You can read more on that, here | You can read more on that, here |