Global search

Primary navigation

20 March 2020

 

The Commonwealth is arguing that a section of the Migration Act prevents asylum seekers and refugees who were unable to access proper medical care from bringing legal claims in any court except the High Court.

In August 2019, the Full Federal Court of Australia found against the Commonwealth, but the Commonwealth was today granted special leave to appeal this decision to the High Court of Australia.

More than 50 Federal Court cases relating to the health and medical care provided to refugees and people seeking asylum are currently on hold pending the outcome of the High Court hearing, which will be scheduled for later this year.

Social justice law firm Maurice Blackburn says the Commonwealth’s actions in the courts are preventing people who were detained on Manus Island and Nauru from timely access to justice.

“The Commonwealth is going to great lengths to delay outcomes for the children and families who were detained on Nauru and Manus Island,” said Jennifer Kanis, Principal Lawyer at Maurice Blackburn.

“People seeking asylum have already experienced delays in accessing important healthcare because of the Commonwealth’s offshore detention policy.

“Now these people are facing delays in accessing justice because the Commonwealth insists on fighting their attempts to bring legal action over the poor medical treatment and the harm caused.”

Ms Kanis, who heads the social justice practice at Maurice Blackburn, said the situation was dire for those who remained in offshore detention.

“First the Commonwealth repealed the Medevac legislation, which was an efficient, patient-centred means of providing medical care.

“Now they are trying to stop access to the Federal Court, which was the last resort to get the Commonwealth to provide urgent medical care.

“While we await the High Court appeal, we urge the Commonwealth to ensure those people who remain in offshore detention have access to proper and timely medical care.”

Maurice Blackburn and the National Justice Project act for refugees in the four test cases that will now be heard on appeal by the High Court.

The outcome of the High Court appeal has the potential to impact all cases where refugees and asylum seekers that were detained on Nauru and Manus Island are seeking to argue that the Commonwealth failed to provide appropriate levels of medical care, as well as any future claims for people who remain on Nauru and Manus Island.

These cases involve children, women and families with a range of serious physical and mental health issues, some that were life threatening including viral encephalitis and heart conditions.

Since 2018, Maurice Blackburn has acted for more than 30 asylum seekers and refugees needing urgent medical care, of which the youngest was a six-month-old child.

 

Media inquiries: 

Chee Chee Leung at Maurice Blackburn on 0412 560 584 or via cleung@mauriceblackburn.com.au

 

Practice areas

Social justice

Maurice Blackburn media team

Our media team advises and supports Maurice Blackburn lawyers and clients during all forms of media engagement, including video and television appearances, radio, online and print media.

Please direct media inquiries to media@mauriceblackburn.com.au, or contact team members directly via the phone numbers below.

Avatar

Jade Knight

National Manager Public Affairs, Media and communications

  • Brisbane, QLD
  • (07) 3016 0396
    0417 969 438
Avatar

Michael Cooney

General Manager Public Affairs, Media and communications

  • Melbourne, VIC
  • (03) 9605 2700
Avatar

Chee Chee Leung

Media Manager, Media and communications

  • Melbourne, VIC
  • (03) 9045 6941
    0412 560 584
Avatar

Paddy Murphy

Media Manager, Media and communications

  • Melbourne, VIC
  • (03) 8102 2003
    0490 297 391

Easy ways to get in touch

We are here to help. Give us a call, request a call back or use our free claim check tool to get in touch with our friendly legal team. With local knowledge and a national network of experts, we have the experience you can count on. 

Office locations

We’re here to help. Get in touch with your local office.

Select your state below

We have lawyers who specialise in a range of legal claims who travel to Australian Capital Territory. If you need a lawyer in Canberra or elsewhere in Australian Capital Territory, please call us on 1800 675 346.

We have lawyers who specialise in a range of legal claims who travel to Tasmania. If you need a lawyer in Hobart, Launceston or elsewhere in Tasmania, please call us on 1800 675 346.