Crossbench Senator Jacqui Lambie has signalled she wants to amend the medevac system and could be close to a deal with the Federal Government over repealing the laws.
Medevac hangs in the balance as parliament returns for the final sitting fortnight of the year with its fate set to be decided in the Senate.
The Morrison government wants to repeal the refugee medical transfer laws that allow doctors to refer detainees in offshore processing for medical treatment or assessment in Australia.
Senator Lambie, who holds the crucial swinging vote that will determine the regime’s future, said her discussions with the government were ongoing.
“Look anything that’s got to do with humanity is always really, really difficult to have to take a vote on so that’s why it’s taking a little longer,” she said.
“I think what you’ll find with the medevac, it may not look like it does today.”
Doctors have requested more than 150 such refugee transfers since the laws passed against the Coalition’s wishes in February.
The Federal Government believes existing medical transfer provisions were adequate before the system was overhauled.
Senator Lambie will meet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday, but she said her support for the repeal push remained “stuck on a few things”.
“Obviously those sticking points aren’t out in the media in the open for discussion,” she said on Sunday.
“I'd like to keep them that way cause that way hopefully the deal can be done out of good faith.”
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has been campaigning for the controversial legislation to be scrapped saying they weaken national border protection by limiting his discretionary powers.
Mr Dutton can use national security as grounds to reject an individual medevac transfer, but previous rules gave him more discretion to turn away transferees over criminal history and character concerns.
The Morrison government's attempt to amend medevac laws has the support of crossbench senators Pauline Hanson and Cory Bernardi.
Senator Bernardi said the laws must be repealed calling the Labor-backed regime a “giant scam”.
Crossbench Senator Jacqui Lambie. Source: AAP
“They need to repeal it because a country that can’t protect its border is not in control of its destiny,” he said.
But opposition leader Anthony Albanese said the Morrison government’s national security concerns over medevac had so far been unfounded.
“The crisis that the government said would happen if the medevac legislation was passed has not occurred,” he said.
"I'd urge the crossbenchers to have a look at the quite frankly extraordinary claims that were made from Scott Morrison down about what would happen if medevac was carried and have a look at what's actually happened in practice.”
With Senator Lambie’s support, the Federal government would be able to overcome opposition from Labor, the Greens and Centre Alliance Senators Rex Patrick and Stirling Griff.
Greens Senator Richard Di Natale said he hopes Senator Lambie “holds strong” over ensuring those in need can access medical treatment.
“The medevac vote is just about treating people with dignity and respect and if anyone needs help and needs to see a doctor they should be able to do that,” he said.
“I’m urging the crossbench to hold strong, I hope Jacqui will hold strong and show that anyone no matter where they come from they should have the right to see a doctor.”
Eleven peak medical organisations are among those urging the refugee medical transfer laws be retained in place.
Crossbench Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick said most Australians would support the intent of the medevac system.
“Most Australians don’t want to see people not being given access to proper medical treatment,” he said.
“That’s all this bill does – it doesn’t create a window for people to come to Australia – the legislation is very clear.”
