Refugee advocates have welcomed an offer by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews to house the Australian-born asylum seekers and their families facing a return to Nauru.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has drawn support from advocacy groups after offering to provide housing, health, education and welfare services for 267 asylum seekers, including 37 Australian-born infants.
Doctors for Refugees spokeswoman Dr Barri Phatarfod told SBS World News ensuring families are incorporated into mainstream Australia is crucial.
"The best chance that we'll have that they'll [asylum seekers] have a normal life and become a productive member of the community is actually by early integration...so this is the best thing we can possibly do and I just hope that Premier Andrews message gets listened to".
New South Wales Premier Mike Bairds said he supported the call to house Australian-born asylum seeker children and their families, saying his state is "prepared to help".
"I recognise the humanitarian impulse behind [Mr Andrews'] letter to the Prime Minister," Mr Baird said in a statement.
NSW Opposition leader Luke Foley earlier on Saturday called for the NSW government to follow Victoria's lead.
