Expect to hear more noise from the crossbench when Parliament resumes, as pressure ramps up on the Federal Government to resettle refugees currently on Manus Island and Nauru.
Just over 530 people have already been sent to the United States under the resettlement deal, but Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said the US would not be taking as many people as originally expected.
Mr Dutton told Insiders he was determined to find new homes for about 800 people remaining on the two islands.
"I want people off Manus and Nauru overnight, but I want to do it in a way that doesn't restart boats, and kids drowning again at sea," he said.
Of the remaining group, about 300 have been approved for resettlement in the US and are awaiting departure, but the Government is yet to outline a plan for the others.
Crossbench MP Rebekha Sharkie said she would do her best to put the issue front and centre when Parliament resumes.
"There are many issues that take up the political space and so we need to make sure that the livelihood of those people, that they do have a future and we need to show to them that Australia cares."
As to how that would be achieved, Ms Sharkie pointed to the efforts of the crossbench last year.
She said it was the pressure from a number of MPs and the community that resulted in the Government removing all children from offshore detention, and she planned to use the same tactics this time around.
"Many members of the community out the front of parliament rallying in support of these children," she said.
"Many members of Parliament, myself included, who were going down and supporting those people at the rallies.
"It was speaking out in the Parliament. It was continually asking questions of Government … and making sure the matter [was] present in the national conversation."
Another crossbench MP who intends to speak to the Government is the newly elected member for Warringah, Zali Steggall.
"It's certainly an issue of concern, because I think it's been lingering for much too long," she said.
"I think there are some other pressing issues that need to be dealt with, but this is certainly one of the ones that has to be considered."
The independent MP said that apart from indefinite detention being inhumane, it was also costly.
"It's costing taxpayers a ridiculous amount of money and we have so many other pressing issues that money should be focused on," she said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-17/pressure-on-federal-government-resettle-refugees-manus-nauru/11215064