Essential Report
Medivac Bill
Q. Earlier this year, the Federal Parliament passed legislation to allow doctors, not politicians, more say in determining the appropriate medical treatment offered to people in offshore detention. This may include medical evacuation (Medivac) transfer to Australia if necessary.
Which of the following statements most closely aligns with your views of this legislation?
Nov’19 | Sep’19 | Feb’19 | |
This legislation does not go far enough to provide humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 25% | 23% | 16% |
This legislation strikes a balance between strong borders and humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 37% | 41% | 38% |
This legislation will weaken our borders and result in boats arriving in Australia as they have in the past | 22% | 20% | 30% |
Unsure | 17% | 18% | 16% |
Base (n) | 1,083 | 1,093 | 1,085 |
Total | Gender | Age | ||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
This legislation does not go far enough to provide humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 25% | 24% | 26% | 28% | 26% | 21% |
This legislation strikes a balance between strong borders and humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 37% | 39% | 35% | 42% | 34% | 35% |
This legislation will weaken our borders and result in boats arriving in Australia as they have in the past | 22% | 23% | 20% | 10% | 21% | 33% |
Unsure | 17% | 14% | 19% | 20% | 20% | 11% |
Base (n) | 1,083 | 527 | 556 | 329 | 369 | 385 |
Total | Voting Intention | ||||
Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
This legislation does not go far enough to provide humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 25% | 33% | 15% | 51% | 19% |
This legislation strikes a balance between strong borders and humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 37% | 38% | 44% | 29% | 27% |
This legislation will weaken our borders and result in boats arriving in Australia as they have in the past | 22% | 14% | 29% | 6% | 39% |
Unsure | 17% | 15% | 12% | 15% | 15% |
Base (n) | 1,083 | 342 | 373 | 93 | 162 |
- A quarter of people (25%) believe that the Medivac legislation does not go far enough to provide humane treatment for people in offshore detention. This has increased from earlier this year in February, when just 16% believed so.
- 37% believe that the Medivac legislation strikes a balance between strong borders and humane treatment for people in offshore detention – the same level as in Feb’19 (38%).

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