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Christmas Island to reopen as Senate backs refugee medevac bill, live coverage
By political reporter Henry Belot
RELATED STORY: Government gears up for election fight on border protection after losing vote
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Christmas Island immigration centre will reopen, as border protection shapes as a key battleground ahead of this year's federal election.

The PM's announcement came as the refugee medevac bill that delivered the Federal Government a historic loss was passed into law by the Senate.

The Coalition claims the new law, which will let sick refugees come to Australia, will restart the people-smuggling trade.

Follow live.

Well, we won’t know if the boats have started because Morrison himself refusedany public discussion on boats for “operational reasons”. He wouldn’t just change that stance for political purposes would he.    If he did, that would lead questions in the house that he disclose how many boats arrived under Operation Soverign Borders during his time asobviously “operational reasons” don’t exist anymore and never have

FRED. wrote on Feb 13^th, 2019 at 10:38am:

The Coalition claims the new law, which will let sick refugees come to Australia, will restart the people-smuggling trade.

Why would it?

It only applies to those currently in detention.

From your PM

""""""""REPORTER: If you say a boat arrives it will be Labor's fault but if it doesn't arrive it's thanks to the Government. Are you in control of the borders or not?

PM: Of course I am.""""

We need to get rid of this tosser

Vic wrote on Feb 13^th, 2019 at 11:42am:

From your PM """"""""REPORTER: If you say a boat arrives it will be Labor's fault but if it doesn't arrive it's thanks to the Government. Are you in control of the borders or not? PM: Of course I am."""" We need to get rid of this tosser

Absolute rabble in disarray after being the first government in 90 years to lose a vote on the floor

So we should leave people in need of emergency medical treatment on Christmas Island without care?

Jeez - if that doesn't show you the way this thing is handled, nothing will..

As I said - a great argument for a return to onshore processing - which is in reality no different and is less costly and has benefits, such as steadily acclimatising refugee claimants to Australia and its ways, teaching them the ropes...

Look what happens when you get the kinds that get in under the 'normal' process - 'sexual emergencies', groping women, rape as a right, jihad, violence, drug trafficking for the ready money, welfare dependency, rorts of government handouts and schemes such as childcare at home, cheating on Social Security while hubby owns two businesses  ..... you name it....  ::)  ::)  ::)

I'm in favour of something like the Snowies Scheme, so that people can learn, earn their way into this nation, and be assessed along the way..... if they're worth keeping, they're in - if not - adios... no more Open Borders for those who come here through the 'normal' system..... no more instant citizenship (two years) and probationary only for ten....

If you can't take responsibility then you shouldn't be in charge.

The Lefties are trying to pretend that Shorty has not already lost the election.

Vic wrote on Feb 13^th, 2019 at 11:42am:

From your PM """"""""REPORTER: If you say a boat arrives it will be Labor's fault but if it doesn't arrive it's thanks to the Government. Are you in control of the borders or not? PM: Of course I am."""" We need to get rid of this tosser

Dear deary me,  a failed advertising executive and an even bigger failure as PM

juliar wrote on Feb 13^th, 2019 at 6:00pm:

The Lefties are trying to pretend that Shorty has not already lost the election.

Come election night we won't be able to find you, will we. You will disappear, as usual.

macman wrote on Feb 13^th, 2019 at 8:25pm:

juliar wrote on Feb 13th, 2019 at 6:00pm: The Lefties are trying to pretend that Shorty has not already lost the election. Come election night we won't be able to find you, will we. You will disappear, as usual.

probably going to lib camp to get retraining to be a better media spinner.

Most can see ScuMo's government is clutching at straws as all they have is scare mongering and sending signals to people smugglers that things have changed, done out of spite which is immoral.

And nothing has changed as the medivac bill only encompasses those refugees on Manus and Nauru Islands are given fair treatment rather than have to go through the courts, or die when in Australia's care which has happened..

Australia needs to be shown in a better light than just a hate filled scare mongering nation the coalition has to offer.

Also now that climate change is having its dramatic effect on Nth Qld their sneering at the climate science and actively creating propaganda against the scientist just makes the LNP look like fools...time for them to go.

While they have Australian citizenship they are not Australian at heart....they are neoliberals.. a scourge to humankind.

greggerypeccary wrote on Feb 13^th, 2019 at 11:34am:

FRED. wrote on Feb 13th, 2019 at 10:38am: The Coalition claims the new law, which will let sick refugees come to Australia, will restart the people-smuggling trade. Why would it? It only applies to those currently in detention.

And are you going to go to Indonesia and EXPLAIN that to the illiterate hordes waiting to embark on their journey to this country..........dickhead?  ::)

The conalition must be all faux Catholics and Christians because the Bible says be good to your fellow man

Its time wrote on Feb 14^th, 2019 at 8:16am:

The conalition must be all faux Catholics and Christians because the Bible says be good to your fellow man

So, how many are you going to take in plonker?

Fuzzball wrote on Feb 14^th, 2019 at 8:14am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Feb 13th, 2019 at 11:34am: FRED. wrote on Feb 13th, 2019 at 10:38am: The Coalition claims the new law, which will let sick refugees come to Australia, will restart the people-smuggling trade. Why would it? It only applies to those currently in detention. And are you going to go to Indonesia and EXPLAIN that to the illiterate hordes waiting to embark on their journey to this country..........dickhead?  ::)

I explained it to you.

If you can understand it, anyone can.

I read this today and feel it encompasses the thoughts of most decent Australians.

“DAY TO DAY POLITICS: Yesterday l was angry, today l feel pity.

Thursday 14 February 2019

Idle thoughts.

All available Ministers were out yesterday whipping their constituents into a frenzy over boats skimming the surface on their way to Australia’s shores. They are giving a guilt edged guarantee that the boats would restart again immediately.

Knee jerk reaction you say. Well the Government is, despite its reaction, couldn’t be more grateful. After all they see the racists of Australia as their natural constituents. They want their vote. They want the boats to come. Well isn’t that true. But has there been a shift in public sentiment. That is the unanswered question.

Of course you will not find a Government Minister looking down the lens of a camera saying that the legislation only applies to refugees that are on Manus and Nauru.

I pity their fear and anger. I deplore their hatred of others. I resent their use of politics to further their pursuit of power. I pity their lack of compassion and the claim of Christian faith. But most of all l forgive them, their putrid putrid sin.”

https://i.imgur.com/6QzWTBS.jpg

juliar wrote on Feb 13^th, 2019 at 6:00pm:

The Lefties are trying to pretend that Shorty has not already lost the election.

Can I frame this?

Vic wrote on Feb 14^th, 2019 at 8:52am:

I read this today and feel it encompasses the thoughts of most decent Australians. “DAY TO DAY POLITICS: Yesterday l was angry, today l feel pity. Thursday 14 February 2019 Idle thoughts. All available Ministers were out yesterday whipping their constituents into a frenzy over boats skimming the surface on their way to Australia’s shores. They are giving a guilt edged guarantee that the boats would restart again immediately. Knee jerk reaction you say. Well the Government is, despite its reaction, couldn’t be more grateful. After all they see the racists of Australia as their natural constituents. They want their vote. They want the boats to come. Well isn’t that true. But has there been a shift in public sentiment. That is the unanswered question. Of course you will not find a Government Minister looking down the lens of a camera saying that the legislation only applies to refugees that are on Manus and Nauru. I pity their fear and anger. I deplore their hatred of others. I resent their use of politics to further their pursuit of power. I pity their lack of compassion and the claim of Christian faith. But most of all l forgive them, their putrid putrid sin.”

Yes, I like that very much.

"Of course you will not find a Government Minister looking down the lens of a camera saying that the legislation only applies to refugees that are on Manus and Nauru."

greggerypeccary wrote on Feb 14^th, 2019 at 8:44am:

Fuzzball wrote on Feb 14th, 2019 at 8:14am: greggerypeccary wrote on Feb 13th, 2019 at 11:34am: FRED. wrote on Feb 13th, 2019 at 10:38am: The Coalition claims the new law, which will let sick refugees come to Australia, will restart the people-smuggling trade. Why would it? It only applies to those currently in detention. And are you going to go to Indonesia and EXPLAIN that to the illiterate hordes waiting to embark on their journey to this country..........dickhead?  ::) I explained it to you. If you can understand it, anyone can.

Yet you have explained absolutely nothing you fkkwit........as usual...

Its an immorally bankrupt government that uses refugees as a political tool to drive a frenzied fear and loathing of others seeking a better life...what next their political opponents need imprisonment for criticising them....given half a chance they would.

Gee the amazing fake stories being invented by the Lefties to try to pretend their Welfare for All for Ever paradise is not collapsing around their ears.

And it is all that pseudo Greeny the lame duck Phelpsy's fault for pulling the rug from under little Shorty.

Fuzzball wrote on Feb 14^th, 2019 at 1:15pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Feb 14th, 2019 at 8:44am: Fuzzball wrote on Feb 14th, 2019 at 8:14am: greggerypeccary wrote on Feb 13th, 2019 at 11:34am: FRED. wrote on Feb 13th, 2019 at 10:38am: The Coalition claims the new law, which will let sick refugees come to Australia, will restart the people-smuggling trade. Why would it? It only applies to those currently in detention. And are you going to go to Indonesia and EXPLAIN that to the illiterate hordes waiting to embark on their journey to this country..........dickhead?  ::) I explained it to you. If you can understand it, anyone can. Yet you have explained absolutely nothing you fkkwit........as usual...

au contraire

It only applies to those currently in detention.

Which part of that is so difficult to understand?

Pedro Curevo wrote on Feb 14^th, 2019 at 1:35pm:

Its an immorally bankrupt government that uses refugees as a political tool to drive a frenzied fear and loathing of others seeking a better life...what next their political opponents need imprisonment for criticising them....given half a chance they would.

That'd be morally bankrupt. (Else a double negative.)
;)

juliar wrote on Feb 14^th, 2019 at 1:37pm:

Gee the amazing fake stories being invented by the Lefties to try to pretend their Welfare for All for Ever paradise is not collapsing around their ears. And it is all that pseudo Greeny the lame duck Phelpsy's fault for pulling the rug from under little Shorty.

It's high time we stopped playing politics with migration laws