Australia will send up to 16 health workers to West Africa as early as next week in response to pleas from the British and US governments for personnel to fight the Ebola outbreak.
_The West Australian _ understands the Federal Government is in advanced talks with Britain to strike an agreement on treatment of Australians who contract Ebola. Sources said though an agreement with Britain was likely by next week, it would be on a "case-by-case, no assumption of duty of care" basis.
This means any Government-sponsored Australian healthcare worker who goes to West Africa will not be guaranteed evacuation to Europe if they contract the killer virus.
Officials have ruled out evacuation to Australia because of the 30-hour travel time.
It is understood the Government will accept only volunteers. No Australian Defence Force personnel would be sent.
The Abbott Government has been under pressure from the Federal Opposition to substantially increase Australia's commitment to the Ebola fight.
Labor said the Government's "uninterested, chaotic" response to the crisis - $18 million in total contribution so far - was wholly inadequate.
Ebola has killed more than 4500 people, mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Tony Abbott yesterday confirmed that in a call on Wednesday US President Barack Obama had asked for greater assistance.
"Yes, our partners and allies would like us to do more, and we are carefully considering those requests," the Prime Minister told Parliament.
"I do point out, though, that there is a world of difference between people volunteering to assist - and I salute their selfless humanitarianism-and people being ordered into a difficult and dangerous region."
It was revealed in Senate estimates hearings yesterday that Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was asked last month by Britain's High Commissioner to Australia to send personnel to West Africa. The US made a similar request three weeks ago to the Australian Embassy in Washington DC.
Mr Abbott said the chief medical officer had asked State counterparts to ensure they had an adult and a children's hospital as designated Ebola response institutions.
He said a Darwin-based team of 20 healthcare workers - four doctors and 16 nurses - had been trained in caring for Ebola patients and using high-level protective equipment should the virus be detected in Australia.