A group of Australian doctors has called for a change of Canberra's asylum policy by using a speedy onshore process to deal with applications for refugee status.
The group, calling itself Doctors for Refugees, says as trusted leaders in the community, they have a responsibility to address misinformation and the adverse outcomes of people who are denied equity of access to good health care.
A spokesperson, Dr Barri Phatarfod, says the group chose the election campaign to send a message that politicians on both sides are doing the wrong thing.
She says the politicians are making Australia a pariah while they should use the processes used by first world countries.
"Every other first world country allows community settlement after the initial processing of security and health checks are done. I don't see why we should be any different."
Dr Barri Phatarfod says the current policy of processing asylum seekers abroad is also very expensive.
