The government is seeking to change existing immigration rules to force asylum seekers, landing in Australia, to be moved offshore for processing.
In the past, if an asylum seeker landed on the mainland, they were deemed to be in Australia and so subject to Australia's refugee review process.
The Australian Democrats senator, Andrew Bartlett, says he remains opposed to the legislation which, by definition put them beyond the reach of any concessions the Democrats could win.
And the Australian Greens senator, Christine Milne, says many people feel humiliated by the government's proposed new immigration laws.