Dramatic step to break up families: Dept

The immigration department says it would be better if families where one parent had a negative security assessment, made the choice to leave detention.

The immigration department says it would be a dramatic step to forcibly break-up families in detention where one parent has a negative security assessment.

Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm raised the prospect in a Senate estimates hearing on Monday, pointing out the detention centre environment may not be optimal for the welfare and development of children.

Immigration secretary Michael Pezzullo said there were only a handful of cases that fell into that category, and it would be better if eligible family members voluntarily made the choice to leave detention.