Non-doctor fills immigration medical post

The immigration department has appointed a non-doctor to fill the role of Chief Medical Officer and advise on the health issues of asylum-seekers and refugees.

Department of Immigration and Border Protection First Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Hampton has taken on the role in an acting capacity.

The move has some Labor MPs incredulous, with reports that Senator Kim Carr was “flabbergasted” when department Secretary Michael Pezzullo revealed the arrangement during a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Monday.

Mr Pezzullo insisted Ms Hampton receives expert