Qld premier backs Baby Asha doctors

More than 100 people have held a second rally outside a Brisbane hospital to support doctors refusing to discharge a baby set to return to Nauru.

Refugee activists protest outside the Lady Cliento Children's Hospital

Queensland Health Minister Cameron Dick has backed doctors who are refusing to discharge a baby. (AAP)

Protesters want Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to show Baby Asha some love on Valentine's Day and let her stay in Australia instead of being returned to detention.

"Roses are red, violets are blue, people with hearts, don't send babes to Nauru," a crowd of more than 100, some holding heart-shaped signs, chanted outside Brisbane's Lady Cilento Hospital on Sunday.

The 12-month-old girl was brought to the hospital last month after suffering burns when boiling water was accidentally spilled on her while in detention on Nauru.

She has since recovered but doctors at Lady Cilento say they will keep her at the hospital until "a suitable home environment is identified".

Asha, as well as her mother and father, are set to be sent back to Nauru once the child is discharged.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Health Minister Cameron Dick said on Sunday they support the doctors and have urged Mr Turnbull to show compassion.

"My government stands absolutely ready to look after the people who are due to be sent back to Nauru - we stand ready, willing and able to do that," the premier said.

"I call on the prime minister to show some humanity."

Ms Palaszczuk said the doctors made a clinical decision which wasn't politically motivated.

Mr Dick said clinicians were best placed to decide what was best for patients and that he understood keeping Asha at the hospital would not prevent another sick child from receiving treatment.

However, Queensland's Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said once a patient had been given the all clear they should be discharged.

"We should principally take the advice of clinicians about the status of any patient - there is no argument about that," he said.

"But once a patient is right to be discharged, they should be discharged and cared for in accordance with Australian and international law."

Sunday's protest outside the hospital was the second in as many days.

Katherine Thornley, who took her two young daughters along to the rally, said she was compelled to show her support because she is a mother.

"I feel strongly that these babies, these children, we need to look after them," she told AAP.

"(I) just want to let (Asha's mother) know we are here and we are supporting her."

While many driving past honked in support, one man yelled and swore at the group from across the street.

Supporters, who began gathering outside the hospital on Friday night when news that Asha was being treated there broke, have vowed to continue to rally.

Organisers include Doctors for Refugees, the Refugee Action Council and several unions who argue conditions on the small Pacific island nation of Nauru are not suitable for Asha or anyone else.

Mr Dutton has refused to comment on the matter.


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3 min read
Published 14 February 2016 11:10am
Updated 14 February 2016 4:40pm
Source: AAP


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