'Two thousand in a month': Indonesian people smuggler's dire warning about boat arrivals - as it's revealed 50 asylum seekers have already been red-flagged as security risks after medevac bill was passed
- The smuggler said the idea of a Shorten government had encouraged his bosses
- 'People know the big politicians are different,' the Pakistan-based smuggler said
- Ominous prediction came as 300 asylum seekers marked for urgent assessment
- Activist doctors believed to be trying to mobilise refugees to bring to mainland
- Legislation allowing two doctors to grant medical evacuation passed this week
An Indonesian people smuggler has warned there will be an influx of boat people to Australia following the passing of the Labor-backed medevac bill.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison criticised the laws for weakening Australia's borders - and it has now been revealed 50 boat people at Manus Island and Nauru have been red-flagged by the government as a security risk.
The bill, which will make it easier for asylum seekers to get medical treatment in Australia, passed the parliament this week.
An Indonesian people smuggler has given an ominous warning about an influx of boat people to Australia following the passing of the Labor-back medevac law (stock image)
The legislation in the House of Representatives was passed by 75 votes to 74 after Labor were joined by the Greens and all independents except Bob Katter.
A Pakistan-based people smuggler said his former bosses were encouraged by the prospect of a Bill Shorten-led government.
'People know the big politicians are different: Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison, and of course they know (Bill Shorten),' he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
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'They want to push it. They want to send five, six, seven boats every week - I think it will be hard for the Australian government to handle it.
'All of a sudden 1,000 people, or 2,000 in a month or two.'
The 50 'complex' cases earmarked by the Department of Home Affairs were revealed as part of nearly 800 people who are yet to have their security screening completed.
The prime minister also announced plans to reopen the Christmas Island detention centre to guard against the feared influx in asylum-seeker boats
About 300 asylum seekers who activist doctors are believed to be trying to bring to Australia were chosen for priority assessment, The Saturday Telegraph reported.
The assessment would give the Immigration Minister David Coleman necessary information to block transfers - which he can do within three days.
As the fiercely-contested new laws passed the senate on Wednesday, the prime minister warned changes could restart the people-smuggling trade.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (right) criticised the laws for weakening Australia's borders - but Mr Shorten (left) said Mr Morrison's vocal criticism of the medevac bill would actually encourage people to try getting to Australia by boat
'My job now is to do everything within my power, and in the power of the government, to ensure that what the parliament has done to weaken our borders does not result in boats coming to Australia,' he said.
The prime minister also announced plans to reopen the Christmas Island detention centre to guard against the feared influx in asylum-seeker boats.
But Mr Shorten said Mr Morrison's vocal criticism of the medevac bill would actually encourage people to try getting to Australia by boat.
The opposition leader added the laws would only apply to those who were already in offshore detention centres - and not new arrivals.
The 50 'complex' cases earmarked by the department of home affairs were revealed as part of nearly 800 people who are yet to have their security screening completed (stock image)
Scott Morrison said "people smugglers know they won't get through me and Peter Dutton" but would "have a crack" if Bill Shorten became prime minister.
It is the latest message from the prime minister, who is trying to highlight differences between the Coalition and Labor on border security amid fears of an increase in boats.
Mr Morrison told reporters on Saturday the government had "increased the strength, resource and capability again of Operation Sovereign Borders" after the medevac legislation passed parliament this week.
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