Asylum seeker children on Nauru would be given speedier medical transfers to Australia under new laws being introduced to parliament by the federal opposition.
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Labor has drafted the legislation in response to growing concerns by Australian doctors about the care provided to children and their families on Nauru.
Three Liberal MPs have also taken the extraordinary step of demanding Prime Minister Scott Morrison get children off the Pacific island, citing serious fears about their health.
Labor's proposed laws would give greater weight to the views of treating clinicians and ensure the minister rather than department officials makes decisions on medical transfers.
A minister would be given just 24 hours to make a determination on medical transfers, and there would be greater transparency over decisions to deny transfers.
Labor immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann said the laws would make child rights a priority.
"These are practical, reasonable and responsible measures to address the chaotic, confusing and inconsistent medical transfer process that currently exists for asylum seeker and refugee children," Mr Neumann said.
"This is about making sure vulnerable and sick children in Australia's care can receive the medical treatment they need - when and where they need it."
Families, a parent or guardian would be transferred to Australia while the child underwent treatment.
Meanwhile, Liberal MPs Russell Broadbent, Craig Laundy and Julia Banks have spoken out against the harsh conditions on the Pacific island.
They told The Herald Sun conditions on Nauru are at a "tipping point" and joined calls by thousands of Australian doctors for the children to be evacuated to Australia for medical care.
"I have been meeting with those colleagues as have the relevant ministers and we have been acting on those issues," Mr Morrison told reporters on Tuesday.
"We will always consider each and every case on its merits, and in the interests of the child and we will continue to do."
Australian Medical Association representative Dr Paul Bauert, who delivered the letter to Mr Morrison, has congratulated the outspoken Liberal MPs.
"I'm hopeful that more politicians on all sides will show the courage that these three have shown - I know it's a difficult decision for them," Mr Bauert said.
Refugee advocates say the fate of children being held on Nauru now rests squarely with the prime minister.
Mr Morrison talked up a bill, which has been sitting on the Senate notice paper since November 2016 but not prioritised by the government, that would allow asylum seekers to go to New Zealand but be prevented from ever going to Australia.
"(It) is opposed by the Labor party and the Greens and cross bench senators, which is preventing that protection being put in place and I would urge them to reconsider their position on that," Mr Morrison said.
A report into the bill by Liberal and Labor senators in 2017 found it appeared to breach the United Nations' refugee protocol and child rights protections, as well as unfairly discriminated against people of particular nationalities.
Australian Associated Press