13 Feb Miscellaneous Measures Bill Passes both houses
On the 13th of February 2019, the senate passed the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018 as amended by the House of Representatives. Schedule 1 of the Bill, which deals with the transfer to Australia of persons requiring treatment, commences the day after the bill receives the Royal Assent. The Bill has not yet received the Royal Assent.
The Bill was Initially named Migration Amendment ( Urgent Medical Treatment) Bill 2018 and it’s explanatory memorandum includes the following passage:
This Bill seeks to amend the Migration Act 1958 to require the temporary transfer to Australia of transitory persons on Manus Island or Nauru, and their families, if they are assessed by two or more treating doctors as requiring medical treatment. It also requires the temporary transfer of all children and their families from offshore detention to Australia for the purpose of medical or psychiatric assessment.