Medics back minister on 'medevac' refusals

A panel of doctors set up to oversee the so-called "medevac" laws has sided with the minister on most occasions he has blocked asylum-seeker transfers to Australia.

The panel reviewed 15 refusals for medical transfers between April and June, backing the minister nine times and overruling him on six occasions.

However, asylum seeker advocates have pointed out the minister approves 85 per cent of medical evacuation requests, meaning the independent health panel is rarely relied upon to reassess claims.