Hundreds of sick asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru could be brought to Australia for treatment within months.

The process of medical transfers will now be fast-tracked after legislation passed parliament without the government’s support.

But Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton tells Chris Smith “it will end in disaster”.

“Somebody that has been charged with rape, for example, or molestation of a child, if that person hasn’t been convicted… that person will come to Australia.”

He says in one case, somebody – currently on Manus Island – is alleged to have committed murder in Iran.

“The fact is, that person hasn’t been convicted of that crime, but nonetheless under Labor’s bill, that person has the capacity to come to Australia.”

Mr Dutton says the policy “is a recipe for the boats to restart”.

“The people smugglers… are desperate to get back into business.

“Mr Shorten has now given the people smugglers a hand up.

“It’s unbelievable, I can’t explain why he’s done that.”

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