Medevac law repeal a priority, Coalition says, as self-harm rises among refugees

Spike in suicide attempts reported on Manus and Nauru in days since Australian election

The re-elected Coalition government is pushing forward with plans to repeal the medical evacuation laws amid a spike in suicide attempts and self-harm among offshore refugees and asylum seekers.

After the federal election on Saturday, the prime minister, Scott Morrison, has identified repealing the legislation as a priority. The medevac bill sets out conditions by which sick refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island can be transferred to Australia for medical treatment. In the event of medical advice from two or more treating doctors that a person needs to be evacuated, the home affairs minister has grounds for refusal.

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from The Guardian http://bit.ly/2Huqjvb
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