Med groups want free speech on detainees

Australia's top medical organisations have called for urgent amendments to the border force act so they can freely speak about the healthcare problems detainees face at immigration centres.

They have released a joint statement in which they speak out against the threat of up to two years' jail for sharing information about conditions at the centres.

"It is inconceivable that the government is trying to gag our ability to advocate for our patients' healthcare - it is crucial these changes are passed immediately," Royal Australasian College of Physicians president Professor Nick Talley said.

Prof Talley said reports and evidence from those working in detention centres had provided first-hand insight into appalling conditions and health issues faced by detainees, including skin conditions, vector-borne diseases, sepsis and mental health issues.

"There is an expectation from the public that doctors will speak up about any conditions that are causing harm to their patients or denying them access to care," he said.

"A doctor's work is defined by examining evidence and recommending the best solution regardless of where this work takes place.

"Threatening doctors with imprisonment is a direct attack on our ability to work for the health and protection of our patients."

The border force act, which passed parliament in May and will become active in July, clamps down on "entrusted" persons disclosing information at the risk of two years' jail.

In recent months, medical groups across the country have spoken out against the amendment.

A spokeswoman for immigration minister Peter Dutton said there are appropriate mechanisms for reporting misconduct or maladministration in place.

"The Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013 provides protections for officials, including contractors, who wish to report maladministration through the Public interest Disclosure Act," she said.

"The Australian Border Force Act does not override the protections of the public interest disclosure act."