Senate inquiry into Nauru, Manus abuse

The government has failed to stop a Senate committee from looking into allegations of abuse of asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island.

Wilson Security has decided not to continue providing security at the Nauru and Manus detention centres. Source: AAP

A Senate committee will investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island.

The inquiry, proposed by Labor and the Greens, will also look at the role an independent children's advocate could have in protecting unaccompanied minors.

The federal government opposed the inquiry in parliament on Monday, with frontbencher James McGrath insisting regional processing was vital to ensuring border security.