The leaking of medical records belonging to an asylum seeker transferred to Australia for treatment has been criticised as a breach of medical ethics and a propaganda attempt “devoid of facts”.
An Iranian man was transferred from Papua New Guinea last month after a doctor ordered he receive medical advice in Australia.
It has been disputed as to why he required treatment.
News Corp publications reported on his case on Sunday, publishing a series of salacious headlines alluding to a DIY penis enlargement gone wrong.
But Centre Alliance Senator Stirling Griff said on Monday the man was actually transferred because of “complications” from a “significant wrist injury”.
Centre Alliance Senator Senator Stirling Griff. Source: AAP
“It is propaganda that we’re seeing – it is propaganda and click-bait,” he told SBS News.
“It is completely devoid of facts … and privacy is totally thrown out the window.”
News Corp publications reported the asylum seeker was transferred to south east Queensland after he allegedly injected himself with palm oil.
In response to questions about his medical records being leaked, a spokesperson from Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton’s office said it does not comment on individual cases.
Labor's home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally said the federal government should explain how the confidential records were made public.
Labor Senator Kristina Keneally. Source: AAP
“Labor won’t comment on individual cases, especially in relation to an individual’s mental or physical health,” she said.
“[But] it is concerning that an individual’s medical records have been put in the public realm.”
Kerryn Phelps, a former independent MP who helped the medevac laws through parliament, agreed the leaking of the man's records was a serious breach of privacy.
Dr. Kerryn Phelps. Source: AAP
“This is a shocking breach of ethics," Dr Phelps said in a statement.
“The important question is this: Given the limited number of people with access to confidential medical records, who breached this patient’s medical privacy and leaked a selective part of a medical history to a journalist in an attempt to score a cheap political point against Medevac?”
Greens Senator Nick McKim said the leak had "all the hallmarks of a deliberate and misleading use of private medical information for political gain".
It comes as the coalition attempts to repeal the medevac laws, arguing they pose a threat to national security and its border protection policies.
The legislation allows the medical transfer of refugees from offshore processing centres for treatment or assessment under doctor referrals.
They were passed through federal parliament against the government’s wishes in February.
The coalition argues the medical transfer provisions that existed before the medevac laws were sufficient.
Mr Dutton has said the system is vulnerable to exploitation and people of “bad character” could enter Australia because of it.
More than 130 people have been transferred from Nauru and Papua New Guinea since the laws were passed.
The Iranian man, detained in PNG since 2013, is alleged to have been previously arrested for throwing boiling water on a security guard and charged for punching another officer.
Greens Senator Nick McKim. Source: AAP
But Senator Griff warned against demonising asylum seekers residing in offshore detention in need of medical assistance.
“By all means, the government can demonise people smugglers,” he said.
“But don’t makeup stories or feed stories through to the media to demonise the very people who are deserving of our care.”
Additional reporting: AAP
