The Federal member for an island only four kilometres from Papua New Guinea says the government's new asylum seeker policy will have a detrimental impact on the Torres Strait Island community.
LNP incumbent Warren Entsch says Sabai Island is already experiencing strain on its medical facilities from Papua New Guinean locals who come across the strait to seek medical attention, and predicts that boat arrivals would do the same thing.
“All it does is provide another gateway which will be a darn sight more convenient; it's closer than Christmas Island and it's only four-five kms away,” he said.
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The island's impoverished neighbour has an under-resourced hospital system and widespread instances of disease.
According to the World Health Organisation, there are 15,000 registered cases of multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis per year in Papua New Guinea, with around 3500 deaths.
Mr Entsch said said the proximity of Sabai Island to Papua New Guinea is cause for concern.
“It's just unbelievable such a decision was made without consulting the people who are going to be most affected by it. It beggars belief,” he said.
