Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the Christmas Island immigration centre will reopen, as border protection shapes as a key battleground ahead of this year's federal election.

The PM's announcement came as the refugee medevac bill that delivered the Federal Government a historic loss was passed into law by the Senate.

The Coalition claims the new law, which will make it easier for sick refugees come to Australia, will restart the people-smuggling trade.

But Labor and the crossbench have rejected that and insisted the changes would only apply to refugees already on Manus Island and Nauru.

They have criticised the Government for scaremongering and suggested any new arrivals would be the result of the Prime Minister's rhetoric since losing the vote.

Labor has credited the crossbench for delivering the Federal Government a historic loss in the Parliament.

The new laws will now head to the Governor-General for royal assent before becoming law.

Look back at the blog to catch up on the day's events.