Labor makes compromises on Nauru Bill

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has set the scene for an election fight over border protection, as Labor last night ­partially backed down on a Bill to speed up medical transfers from Nauru and Manus Island.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has set the scene for an election fight over border protection, as Labor last night ­partially backed down on a Bill to speed up medical transfers from Nauru and Manus Island.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten last night reached a compromise with Labor MPs on the legislation.

The Bill, which has already passed the Senate with Labor support, would force the minister responsible to allow asylum seekers into Australia for treatment if a panel of doctors ­declared it was required.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the National Press Club on Monday. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Under changes agreed to by Labor’s caucus, the immigration minister would be able to reject a transfer on character grounds, not just security.

It would apply only to asylum seekers currently on Nauru and Manus, and the 24-hour timeline allowing the minister to intervene would be extended.

Mr Shorten and his leadership group were on Monday briefed by security agencies that people smugglers would attempt to make the trip from countries such as Indonesia in the event of a change of ­government in May, regardless of border polices.

Many Labor insiders fear boat arrivals between now and the election could severely dent their election chances and offer the government a “free kick” in its attacks.

Several Labor MPs questioned how the party had found itself in such a bind internally and opened the door to attacks on its national security policies.

One Right faction MP told the Herald Sun: “We have got ourselves into a strong electoral position but not having a cigarette paper between us and the government on boats. I don’t see how this helps us in any way.”

In a speech at the National Press Club, Mr Morrison said Labor had “learnt nothing from their failures on border protection” when last in government.

The PM said the Bill’s passage “in any form” took Australia border security backwards.

“This is the problem with Bill Shorten on national security or borders or anything else: He thinks it is something you can trade on,” Mr Morrison said.

“These things are absolutes and Labor never gets it right. “

“He (Mr Shorten) says ‘Oh let’s find the middle ground.’ No, no, I’m going to stand on the right ground.

“You can’t split the different on 1200 deaths … on national security, on border protection, these things are absolutes and Labor never gets it right.