The Australian Greens are demanding a judicial review for the mandatory detention of asylum seekers longer than 30 days.
The party says the Rudd government's move to suspend the claims of some asylum seekers has brought back the old days of indefinite detention.
The Greens will introduce a bill into parliament that will place a 30-day limit on mandatory detention, during which health and security checks would be undertaken.
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If an extension is sought, the immigration department would be required to get approval from the courts.
Affect on children considered
Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young says she's particularly concerned about the mandatory detention of children under the new rules.
"We cannot go back to the days of long-term detention on children," she told reporters in Canberra, noting more than 100 are at the Christmas Island detention centre.
The party also wants a federal commissioner for children, who would represent asylum seekers, in particular unaccompanied minors.
Senator Hanson-Young says the current arrangements present a conflict of interest.
"Currently the immigration minister is both the jailer and the guardian of any unaccompanied minors."
