All Ministerial Submissions/circulars To The Then Immigration Minister Scott Morrison In 2014 And 2015 That Relate To Or Mention Terminations And Abortions For Asylum Seekers And Refugees Held On…

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A 2014 ministerial submission to Immigration Minister Scott Morrison sought approval to transfer a pregnant asylum seeker detained on Nauru to Melbourne for termination of pregnancy services due to genetic abnormality. The submission noted Morrison had previously directed (20 June 2014) that pregnant women be transferred only to Brisbane for such procedures. However, the Department recommended an exception, citing that Brisbane's Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital ethics committee required up to a week for approval with uncertain outcome, while Melbourne offered immediate availability. The Department's contracted health provider (International Health and Medical Services) supported the transfer as consistent with contractual obligations to provide healthcare comparable to Australian community standards. Morrison approved the transfer on 25 November 2014. The submission references Nauru detention operations and illustrates internal policy tensions regarding healthcare access for detained asylum seekers.