Gov’s Medical Review Proposal Rejected
Earlier this week the federal government pledged to set up an independent medical review panel to oversee the transfer of asylum seekers detained in offshore detention to Australia. The move comes ahead of the resumption of Parliament next week, and mirrors a key component of an independent bill introduced by MP Kerryn Phelps which passed the Senate late last year.
Importantly, however, the government’s proposed medical panel would not allow doctors to override the department blocking critically ill people transferring to Australia for treatment. This has left rights groups concerned that the proposal could leave bureaucrats with the ultimate say over the medical decisions of critically ill people.
