An offer to settle Australian-born refugee children and their families in Victoria from the state's premier has garnered support from advocacy groups and sparked renewed criticisms about offshore detention.
Daniel Andrews on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asking him not to send refugee children to a "life of physical and emotional trauma" in offshore detention.
"It's wrong. Medical professionals tell us this. Humanitarian agencies tell us this. Our values tell us this," he said in the letter.
On Wednesday, the High Court ruled that offshore detention on Nauru and Manus Island was lawful, clearing the way for the government to send about 250 asylum seekers from Australia, including 37 babies, to Nauru.
The premier says Victoria will accept full responsibility for all the families and children as a "sparse Pacific island is not a fair solution".
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Mr Andrews has promised the state will provide housing, health, education and welfare services.
"I want these children and their families to call Victoria home," he wrote.
"Given we stand ready to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment for these children and their families, there is no justification for their removal."
GetUp has applauded the premier's offer and is calling on Mr Turnbull to immediately release the group of asylum seekers into Victoria's care.
"Your name will go down in Australian history as a premier who cares for the welfare of the less privileged members of the international community," said Labor for Refugees spokesman Robin Rothfield.
The Refugee Action Collective has criticised federal Labor for not taking a similar stance.
"Bill Shorten should take note and abandon support for offshore processing and associated cruelty to refugees," said spokesman Chris Breen.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young says it has fallen to the states to the stand up for asylum seekers in the absence of leadership from the federal parties.
