Thread by @Kon__K

I'm doing an epic thread on the FACTS on the #MedeVacBill to bust all the myths being spread by the #Morrison Government. RT's are so appreciated. Here we go. #auspol #manus #nauru #morrison #dutton

MYTH 1: Two doctors will decide if someone is transferred

FACT 1: Actually 11 doctors decide this incl. an Independent Medical Panel that makes final medical recommendation made up of 9 doctors that incl. Surgeon General of Border Force, Home Affairs & C/w Chief Medical Officer

MYTH 2: The #MedeVacBill will encourage people to seeking #asylum by boat

FACT 2: The bill only applies to people seeking asylum on Manus & Nauru as of 13th Feb 2019 (& children born to them), anyone who arrives thereafter is not eligible for medical evacuation under this bill.

MYTH 3: #MedeVacBill is not needed because there are 60 doctors already on Nauru

FACT 3: Yes 60 health professionals, but they're fly in-fly out. Therefore there’s only about 1/2 @ any one time. Also rostered on in 3 shifts a day, so only a maximum of 8-10 doctors per shift.

MYTH 4: #MedeVacBill allows convicted sex offenders into Australia

FACT 4: Firstly, we know of none on #Manus and #Nauru. Secondly, bill has a Character Test taken from S.501(7) of Migration Act that bans anyone convicted of criminal offences totallying 12 months imprisonment.

MYTH 5: The #MedeVacBill wasn't needed because adequate care exists

FACT 5: 12 people have died.
No mental health services on Manus
Our data shows 100s without medical care
Our data shows people waiting up to 5 years for medical transfer

MYTH 6: The #MedeVacBill allows people charged with serious criminal offences to be in Australian community

FACT 6: If someone brought to Oz had been charged with serious crime would be held in detention while being treated under sole discretion & control of Minister. No risk.

MYTH 7: The #MedeVacBill will result in more people being placed in detention.

FACT 7: It is a standing 5 year practice of Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison Gov that all people medically transferred here (almost 900 so far) are all placed into detention, so this is just the status quo.

MYTH 8: Control of our borders has been lost by the Minister & given to doctors

FACT 8: Minister still in control. Can refuse transfer if

- suspects would be prejudicial to security (ASIO Act) or
- knows has substantial criminal record and
- can indefinitely detain while in Oz

MYTH 9: The #MedeVacBill has destroyed border protection regime

FACT 9: The bill does just one thing, make clinicians more central to decisions about duty of care than currently are and provide a pathway in law for sick people to be evacuated for medical care, that is it.

MYTH 10: Medically transferring sick people to Australia will encourage people to seek asylum by sea

FACT 10: LNP Gov has already transferred nearly 900 sick people from Manus & Nauru to Australia for medical care and this has had no material impact on sea arrivals. #MedeVacBill

MYTH 11: Xmas Island had to be re - opened because of #MedeVacBill

FACT 11: Gov doesn't need to, people can be held in community detention (residential) as they have done with 900 people they have transferred & keep in detention just anyone with pending charges, if there are any

MYTH 12: Doctors will sign off on medical transfer of people even if not sick.

FACT 12: Doctors act ethically, have a code of conduct they are bound to follow. Also worth noting every medical transfer that has gone to court, the courts have sided with the doctors every time.

MYTH 13: #MedeVacBill unnecessarily allows medical transfer just on basis of need for “medical assessment.”

FACT 13: “assessment” a ground because the medical facilities are so poor offshore that vital tests for health issues like risk of blindness & heart problems not possible.

MYTH 14: Medical transfers were already happening when needed by Gov so #MedeVacBill not needed.

FACT: Last year approx 80% of sick kids that were evacuated were only after legal action was taken or court ordered it. Gov consistently ignored recommendations of contracted IHMS.

The following newspapers have done excellent pieces busting the myths too on #MedeVacBill

@GuardianAus

theguardian.com/australia-news…

theguardian.com/australia-news…

and

@smh

smh.com.au/politics/feder…

and

@SBSNews

sbs.com.au/news/how-will-…

MYTH 15: The people on Manus and Nauru are mainly “economic refugees”.

FACT 15: 88% of people on Manus and Nauru have been found to be #refugees.

Also there’s no such thing as an “economic refugee” you’re either a refugee or a migrant.

#MedeVacBill #auspol

MYTH 16: Refugees on Manus/Nauru have had no security checks done

FACT 16: They are some of the most vetted refugees in the world. Why?

MOU with PNG & Nauru required Oz Gov security check them all before sending them there. Then assessed a 2nd time as part of refugee assessment