Under Australia’s controversial immigration policy, asylum seekers intercepted at sea are sent to camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. In February, independent lawmakers and the opposition joined forces to give doctors the right to order sick asylum seekers be sent to Australia if they required medical care. “You can take advice from doctors, but doctors aren’t elected. In 2016, Australia agreed a deal with former US President Barack Obama to offer refuge to up to 1,250 asylum seekers. Australia has rejected offers from neighbouring New Zealand to take a further 150 asylum seekers, fearing refugees will use it as a ‘backdoor entry’ into Australia.

Source: Huffington Post December 04, 2019 23:15 UTC