Refuge Searchers Moved to Australia Under Medevac Laws Held in Melbourne

A group of asylum seekers transferred from Manus Island to Australia for medical treatment under the now-repealed Medevac laws remain in detention-like conditions in a Melbourne hotel. Many of them claim their current situation is even worse than Manus Island due to restricted movement and lack of access to outdoor spaces.

Refugees Held in Melbourne Hotels Under Strict Supervision

Approximately 180 people were brought to Australia under the Medevac law, primarily for medical treatment. Instead of receiving proper care in community settings, they are being held in Alternative Places of Detention (APODs), such as hotels and hospitals, under strict security.

More than 40 asylum seekers have been detained in the Mantra Hotel in Preston, Melbourne, for extended periods, with some held for several months. Reports suggest:

• Entire floors of the hotel are reserved for detainees under constant supervision.
• They are not allowed to leave or interact with other hotel guests.
• They have limited access to facilities, including just two hours in the hotel gym per day.

Lack of Medical Treatment and Psychological Struggles

One of the detainees, Moz, a Kurdish refugee, was transferred to Australia under Medevac laws for asthma treatment. However, he claims that the only medical assistance he received was a chest X-ray, after which he was informed that his condition was clear.

“For years I have suffered from coughing, and there is no real treatment,” Moz said.
“They have locked me in a hotel, and there is no outdoor space for fresh air. It is much worse than Manus.”

Moz, along with others, is forced to share small hotel rooms with another person. He also suffers from PTSD, which is worsened by the strict security presence in the hotel.

“Whenever I go outside to the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation (MITA), I start trembling due to the heavy security presence.”

Uncertain Future for Medevac Refugees

There has been no clear communication from the Department of Home Affairs regarding the future of these detainees. Some fear they may be sent back to offshore detention centers such as Manus Island or Nauru.

“We have no information on what will happen next,” said Moz.
“It is extremely stressful. No one tells us anything, and I don’t know what will happen after this.”

Mental Health Concerns for Detainees

Sarah Dale, Director of Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS), expressed concerns about the mental well-being of the detainees, stating that continued detention, even in hotels, can severely impact their mental health.

“Until they are placed in the community or granted bridging visas, they are still under strict supervision. If there is a guard outside your door, you are still in detention.”

Similarly, refugee advocate Jane Salmon emphasized that hotels are not a substitute for proper resettlement.

“The biggest problem is the uncertainty of their future, the lack of options for resettlement, and the absence of a proper treatment plan.”

The End of the Medevac Law and Its Impact

The Medevac Law, which allowed refugees in offshore detention to be transferred to Australia for medical treatment, was repealed in December 2023 with the support of key crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie. Since then, many refugees who were transferred under the law remain in indefinite detention, either in Melbourne or Brisbane hotels.

How Bansal Immigration Consultants Can Assist?

At Bansal Immigration Consultants, we provide expert assistance on:

• Visa and residency pathways for asylum seekers and refugees.
• Understanding rights and options for detainees in Australia.
• Legal support for individuals affected by immigration policy changes.