Labor could back new refugee transfer laws

Labor has offered conditional support for a crossbench push to make it easier for sick asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island to be urgently flown to Australia for treatment.

The opposition will support legislation introduced to parliament by independent MP Kerryn Phelps on Monday, provided three key changes are made to the bill.

Labor wants to ensure the minister or minister's delegate must sign off on all medical transfers.

The minister would also be required to table a statement in parliament if they refuse to transfer someone, and an independent health advice panel would be established.

Dr Phelps' legislation would also require the urgent medical transfer of all asylum-seeker children on Nauru.

The bill would ensure the urgent evacuation of any asylum seeker who is critically ill and unable to be treated offshore, as well as their families, on the recommendation of two or more doctors.

It would strip from existing legislation the ability of Australia's immigration minister to veto medical transfer requests from treating doctors.

Labor's support, which was decided at a caucus meeting on Tuesday, would edge the bill closer to passing the lower house, but the government has the power to prevent it being debated.