New delay on medivac vote

A vote on the government’s medivac repeal bill — a key election promise — is likely to be put off until next week.

Jacqui Lambie in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Kym Smith

A vote on the government’s medivac repeal bill — a key election promise — is likely to be put off until next week at the earliest.

While independent Tasman­ian senator Jacqui Lambie’s support is still not secured, the government could put the repeal legislation to a vote before parliament rises for Christmas.

Government sources said a vote would be a win-win even if Scott Morrison was unable to abolish the laws, as it would give the Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton an opportunity to grandstand over national security.

Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally presented a petition on Tuesday of 51,000 signatures of Australians in support of the laws. Under the legislation, the government is unable to block the transfer of refugees and asylum-seekers who are considered to be dangerous but are not subject to an adverse ASIO assessment.