Federal Government needs to act now on report into death in custody of asylum seeker, Hamid Khazaei

The Federal Government should accept and implement the recommendations of the Queensland Coroner in relation to the 2014 death of asylum seeker, Hamid Khazaei, as soon as possible, AMA (NSW) President, Dr Kean-Seng Lim said.

“The first recommendation in the Queensland Coroner’s report is that the health and wellbeing of asylum seekers who need a medical transfer be made the overriding consideration.

“This should have been standard practice before, but it is imperative that the Department for Home Affairs develop and implement this policy now,” Dr Lim said.

“The report also recommends the clinics providing medical services to asylum seekers in regional processing countries be properly accredited.

“Once again, this is something that should have always been the case and needs to be acted on with all haste.

“This is especially important given the description of the initial treating facility Mr Khazaei encountered,” Dr Lim said.

“It has been longstanding AMA policy that asylum seekers should be afforded the same level of care that can be expected in Australia.

“The Coroner’s report into the death of Hamid Khazaei only reinforces the importance of that stance.

“This is something the Government needs to act on to prevent more deaths in custody,” Dr Lim said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955