‘Medevac’ law: Australia records 12 deaths under offshore detention policy

Australia has controversially repealed a law which allowed sick refugees held offshore to be treated in the country.

The government’s push to scrap the Medevac law passed by opposition members of parliament in February has drawn criticism.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the law had presented a national security risk.

At least 12 people have died under Australia’s offshore detention policy.

Since 2013, the nation has sent asylum seekers arriving by boat to detention centres on Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

Canberra has defended the controversial policy by arguing that it stops deaths at sea and disrupts human trafficking.