Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says he believes the majority of Australians support a more humane approach to sick asylum seekers, as the Coalition continues to warn of a possible surge in people smuggling.
"I think this country, in 2019, is not the same nation as 2001," Shorten told reporters on Thursday.
He was referring to the so-called Tampa affair in 2001 when then prime minister John Howard refused entry to a boat carrying asylum seekers and used the situation as a potent political weapon.
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The Coalition insists Labor has sent a message to people smugglers to restart their trade by supporting legislation - the so-called medevac bill - to make it easier for sick asylum seekers to be transferred to Australia for medical treatment.
Shorten said the government's tactics would not work this time.
"I do not believe that Australians want a government that governs by slogans and fear," Shorten said.
The government has advice from security and intelligence chiefs that the amendments, which it opposed, could send a signal to people smugglers that Australia's border security policies are being relaxed.
