About 1800 Tasmanians have urged Senator Jacqui Lambie to save the controversial medivac laws.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Tasmanian crossbencher is expected to have the deciding vote on the Morrison Government's attempt to repeal the medivac laws aimed at securing medical treatment for detained refugees.
A petition with about 1800 signatures from around Tasmania urging her to vote against the repeal bill was delivered to her Burnie office on Wednesday in a "snap action" publicised by left wing lobby group GetUp!.
Launceston man and Refugee Council of Australia member Ivan James said the event was to show Senator Lambie Tasmanians wanted her to vote down the repeal.
"We are gathering outside the office of Jacqui Lambie in Burnie to send a message that we support the life-saving medivac laws," Mr James said.
"We implore Senator Jacqui Lambie, as Tasmanians, to vote against the repeal of medivac.
"The medivac laws are an important safeguard that is helping to ensure vital medical treatment for seriously unwell refugees held by the Australian government on Nauru and Manus.
"We are here today because we believe it should be doctors, not politicians, (who) make decisions about critical medical treatment for people in offshore detention."
He said he was pleased by the response to the online petition given that it only ran for a few days.
Senator Lambie was in Canberra.
"Throughout the medivac debate, I have met with a wide range of people: those who want medivac repealed and those that don't," she said.
"As I have said before, I will not horse trade over this bill.
"I acknowledge that people have strong feelings on either side and I have been thinking long and hard and looking very carefully at this legislation.
"I appreciate the effort that people have made to make sure their voices are heard.
"Aren't we lucky to be living in a democracy where we can freely express our views?"
The medivac laws give doctors more say on whether sick refugees and asylum seekers are transferred to Australia for treatment.
The government argues the system underlines border protection and that medical transfers could already happen without the medivac laws.
