The Home Affairs Minister says there’s been a dramatic increase in the number of asylum seekers self-harming in an attempt to gain access to Australia.

The medevac laws, pushed through by Labor before the election, allow asylum seekers held in detention to be transferred to Australia if treating doctors deem it necessary.

Opponents of the law have argued the legislation is used by activist doctors to bring refugees into the country permanently.

It’s now been revealed only four of the 111 asylum seekers transferred to Australia under the laws have actually been admitted to hospital for treatment.

Peter Dutton tells Ben Fordham the laws have actually resulted in a 130 per cent increase in incidents of self-harm since the laws came into effect.

“People are harming themselves so that they can come to Australia.

“It’s really turned out to be a terrible thing.

“I don’t want us, as a country, being obliged to accept people in that circumstance.”

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Image: Getty/Cameron Spencer

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