Christmas Island: Australia 'to re-open' controversial detention centre

Anthony Albanese during Question Time in the House of Representatives

Mr Morrison said he expected the new medical evacuation laws could restart the people smuggling trade and Australia needed to be ramp up national security efforts as a result.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced the reopening of the Christmas Island detention centre, marking a harsh response to the historic asylum seeker medical transfer bill which passed in the House of Representatives last night.

Christmas Island's small regional hospital can not cope with an influx of medical transfers from Manus Island and Nauru, the local council warns.

On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would reopen the Christmas Island detention centre - which closed past year - to cope with what he predicted would be an influx of transfers from Manus Island and Nauru.

Morrison brushed aside suggestions that the law would only apply to those already in detention and accused the opposition of a bid to "weaken and compromise our borders".

"We have approved putting in place the reopening of the Christmas Island detention facilities, both to deal with the prospect of arrivals as well as dealing with the prospect of transfers", Morrison said in a press conference following his government's defeat in the parliament.

"My job now is to ensure the boats don't come", Morrison said.

The bill will give doctors more sway on whether sick refugees on Nauru and Manus Island can come to Australia for medical treatment.

The bill must be approved by the upper house to become law, but is likely to pass, as the Senate supported an earlier version past year.

May magic marks memorable England victory over France
Ireland paid a heavy price against England last week for playing an inexperienced fullback and France fell into the same trap. And another added: "No way back for France now with Jonny May in this form".

However, Mr Morrison argued people smugglers did not deal with the nuance of the "Canberra bubble" but rather the psychology of messaging about "stronger" and "weaker" borders.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott played a vital role in stopping the boats in 2013.

He says "the great risk we're now facing" is that the boats will start.

"It might be all fine and nice to talk about these nuances here in this courtyard", he said. I think it's a foolish law.

Meanwhile MP Kerryn Phelps, a key supporter of the bill, dismissed concerns that there will be an influx of new boat arrivals.

The Christmas Island center, on par with detention facilities on Nauru and Manus Island, has become a symbol of Australia's controversial migration policy, associated with torture, mistreatment, and abuse.

"The legislation applies for people who are already there [on Manus and Nauru] - it does not apply to anyone new", he told reporters.

However, the immigration minister would still have some authority to overrule transfers.

Related News:

13 February 2019

Man United: Herrera stays optimistic despite PSG defeat
This was a level up from what we've played against. "French football must go as far as possible in the Champions League ". Pogba received a second yellow card in the final minute, meaning he will miss the second leg in three weeks.

13 February 2019

Phillies need to 'grossly outbid' Giants to get Bryce Harper
The Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned for Harper, too, though Nightengale believes they're out. We don't know why Harper chose now to unfollow Capitals players, but at least he didn't start following the Flyers or Sharks.

12 February 2019

China hopeful of trade war breakthrough
China's foreign ministry struck a confident tone yesterday as a junior delegation of American negotiators arrived in Beijing . In late September, the USS Decatur also sailed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the Spratly Islands.
12 February 2019

Borussia Dortmund 3 Hoffenheim 3: Sensational three-goal comeback denies Favre’s men
Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt played out a goalless stalemate and Luca Waldschmidt's late equalizer secured Freiburg a 3-3 draw with Wolfsburg.

Russian parliament approves bill to isolate country's internet
The test disconnect experiment has been agreed on in a session of the Information Security Working Group at the end of January. It's supposed to take place sometime before April 1, as this is the last day for submitting amendments to the proposed law.

12 February 2019

Bills considered looking into RB Kareem Hunt
Hunt's friends and girlfriend try to restrain him, but during the struggle, Hunt kicks the woman to the ground. Just before 2 p.m. on Monday, the Browns announced a transaction: They had signed running back Kareem Hunt .
13 February 2019

Lawyers: Rapper 21 Savage released from immigration custody
During the ordeal, a variety of rappers came out to support, including Cardi B, Offset, Vince Staples, Metro Boomin and Jay-Z who hired the rap star's lawyers.

12 February 2019

McDonald's decides to dabble in doughnuts
McDonald's typical breakfast menu consists of various breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, yogurt parfait, and, of course, hash browns. Sold by the half-dozen or by the dozen, the sticks are created to perfectly pair with McDonald's premium roast McCafé coffee.

12 February 2019

'El Chapo' Found Guilty on All Ten Counts
Pena Nieto denied it, but the allegation fit a theme: politicians, army commanders, police and prosecutors, all on the take. Once the jury left the room, he and his wife put their hands to their hearts and gave each other the thumbs up sign.
13 February 2019

Usher & Rich The Kid Present At Studio During Alleged Shooting!
Thankfully, it is being reported that nobody was hit by the bullets which means that they are generally unharmed. According to TMZ , as many as ten shots were fired at the famous Westlake Recording Studio .

12 February 2019

Steelers WR Brown requests trade
Antonio Brown has been found guilty and fined for a speeding incident along McKnight Road in November. This comes after the 30-year-old left the Steelers on bad terms to end last season.

12 February 2019

Raptors to sign veteran PG Lin
The 30-year-old Lin is averaging 10.7 points per game on 46.6 per cent shooting from the field this season. He has been part of three previous playoff runs, in 2013 and 2014 with Houston and in 2016 with Charlotte.