Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has had a "cordial chat" over the phone with the prime minister on the fate of a group of Australian-born asylum seeker children and their families, with other Labor state leaders backing housing them in Australia.
The call came after Mr Andrews penned a letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull offering to house the group rather than see them return to Nauru.
The families are at risk of being sent to Nauru after the High Court cleared the way for their return.
While there was no resolution to their different positions, Mr Andrews hopes to keep the discussions going.
He offered to settle the children and their families in Victoria, providing housing, health, education and welfare services.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"They're already here and they ought to be allowed to stay. I made that position very clear to the prime minister," he told reporters on Sunday.
Other Labor state leaders have rushed to support Mr Andrews, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk saying her state stands "willing and able" to house the group.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr used social media to promise to join Mr Andrews in his pledge and will release a longer statement on Monday.
While Labor has fallen into line, Mr Andrews has also taken heart from comments made across the political divide.
New South Wales Premier Mike Baird called Mr Andrews "a good man" and said NSW was ready to help if the prime minister had any additional requests, comments Mr Andrews interpreted as supportive.
"You've got the two biggest states in the nation prepared to extend a hand of friendship, do the right thing," he said.
"And I would urge the prime minister and his colleagues in Canberra to join us."
