A coalition push for an inquiry into immigration detention, labelled a political stunt by the government, has won cautious support from the Australian Greens and Independent MP Andrew Wilkie.
Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison called on the Greens and independent MPs to support the establishment of an inquiry into Australia's detention centres.
Mr Morrison said Labor's failed policies had resulted in a rolling crisis which demanded parliamentary scrutiny.
"With an average of more than three critical incidents being reported every day in the detention network, ranging from self-harm and serious assaults to riots, fires and even deaths, the government must now be held to account for the daily failures now occurring in our detention system," he said.
Mr Morrison said he had forwarded the terms of reference for the proposed inquiry to the Greens and independents, ahead of introducing a motion in parliament this week.
Riots report
The inquiry, if supported, would inquire and report on the riots at Sydney's Villawood and the Christmas Island detention centres, and the expansion of the detention network.
Mr Morrison has also included in his proposed inquiry the health, safety and well-being of asylum-seeker boat arrivals held in detention centres.
A spokesman for Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the government was open and accountable about its immigration detention system, in contrast to the coalition in government.
"This is just another political stunt from the opposition. A real inquiry would look at the coalition's terrible record on detention," the spokesman said on Sunday.
"The government has long acknowledged the pressures on our detention system, but we're working hard to relieve that pressure by improving processing times for asylum claims and delivering a regional solution to the international problem of irregular migration and people smuggling."
Independent reviews into the Christmas Island and Villawood riots were underway and the ombudsman consistently investigated the system, the spokesman said.
Greens want broad approach
Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said the minor party would only support an inquiry if it looked at the problem of mandatory detention as a whole.
"I am not interested in just allowing for an inquiry that ends up being a witch-hunt and simply propping up what is a failed and inhumane system," the senator told reporters in Adelaide on Sunday.
"Any inquiry that would need to be considered by the Greens would have to look at the problems with mandatory detention as a whole."
Greens MP Adam Bandt said he would scrutinise the terms of reference.
"The coalition is the party of razor wire and children overboard, so I will look at their proposal carefully before deciding whether to support it or whether it's just a stunt," Mr Bandt said.
"Any genuine inquiry would have to consider ending the inhumane and costly practice of mandatory detention. But I doubt that would be looked at seriously by either Labor or the coalition."
Mr Morrison said the terms of reference did not exclude looking at the issue of mandatory detention.
"I wouldn't seek to muzzle them," he told AAP.
"And I don't think the parliament should be muzzled."
Tasmanian Independent Andrew Wilkie said detention centre arrangements were clearly in crisis.
"I'm inclined to support the opposition's motion," Mr Wilkie said.
"I look forward to discussing the matter with Scott Morrison in Canberra this week."
Independent MPs Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Bob Katter were not immediately available for comment.
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