Independent body needed for children in detention: UNICEF

UNICEF says a permanent independent body needs to be established in Australian immigration processing centres to ensure the wellbeing of children held in detention.

A Sri Lankan asylum seeker with her children on the deck of the Australian Customs and Immigration Fisheries Patrol vessel anchored off Indonesia.

The United Nations Children's Fund says a permanent independent body needs to be established in Australian immigration processing centres to ensure the wellbeing of children held in detention.

The Chief Executive Officer of UNICEF Australia Norman Gillespie says he's received numerous reports of mistreatment, abuse and failure to provide adequate services to vulnerable children.

He's told Abby Dinham, the agency has sent a letter to Immigration Minister Scott Morrison asking for immediate action.

(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full interview)