An Indigenous parliamentarian has labelled changes to welfare for refugees seeking medical attention as atrocious.
Labor and the Greens are looking at overturning a Turnbull government move to cut the welfare benefits of asylum seekers who have been transported from Nauru and Manus Island for medical issues.
The immigration department has told the group they’ll lose a $200-a-fortnight payment from Monday.
As well they’ll have three weeks to move out of government-supported accommodation after being moved onto a final departure bridging visa.
Though the government says this will only 100 Asylum seekers, Asylum seeker advocate groups such as the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre says the number could be as high as 400.
Until now, they have been prevented from working, refugee advocates say.
Wiradjuri woman and Shadow Minister for Human Services Linda Burney told Sky News that the move is a distraction.
