Independent M-P Kerryn Phelps has used her maiden parliamentary speech to call for an end to indefinite detention.
The new independent member for Wentworth was declared the winner of the Sydney seat earlier this month after a by-election by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull who resigned from parliament after being dumped from the leadership by the Liberal party.
Dr Phelps says Australia's treatment of asylum seekers needs to improve.
"No longer can we tolerate our government holding the lives of these children and their families to ransom to make a point about maritime arrivals. Yes, we need strong border protection but it is not and must not be a choice between deaths at sea and indefinite offshore confinement." she said.
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