The federal government wants to change immigration laws so that all boatpeople arriving on Australian territory will be sent to Nauru or Papua New Guinea to have the claims for asylum assessed -- even if they reach the Australian mainland.
Recent figures from the International Organisation for Migration show more than half of the 55 Afghan children processed on Nauru under the so-called Pacific Solution, have been denied asylum.
The Refugee Council's spokeswoman, Ms Liz Biok says she's concerned if the proposed changes are passed by parliament, more children will be sent back to dangerous situations in their country of origin.
“Without proper legal representation, children are at real risk of being returned to countries where they will face persecution. Children are confused by the legal process. They don't understand it. They don't understand terms such as "a well founded fear of persecution." They need special help with legal representatives, and often trauma counselling, to help them through the process,” Ms Biok said.