(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Peter Dutton has been in charge of the immigration portfolio for less than a month.
But he's already having to deal with what he's described as a serious and volatile situation.
It follows confirmation that some asylum seekers are protesting at the Manus Island detention centre.
And as Santilla Chingaipe reports, it's believed to be one of the largest protests at the facility in Papua New Guinea since last February's deadly riot.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Chris Breen from the Refugee Action Collective says a number of factors sparked the demonstrations at Manus.
"There's no running water there at the moment, the pumps are broken. Peter Dutton says there's enough bottled water, but you can't flush toilets with bottled water, you can't have showers with bottled water, and there are eight people who are due to be sent to Longerau, which is outside the compound on the January 22 and the asylum seekers that I've spoken to say they are terrified of being sent there."
There are conflicting reports from refugee advocates about the exact number of asylum seekers on a hunger strike.
They also allege that some have stitched their lips together, others have swallowed detergent and that two Iranians have swallowed razor blades.
At his first media conference since taking on the role, Peter Dutton did not go into detail about the events at the facility.
But he's descibed them as worrying.
"I think this is a very serious situation. I'm worried about developments over the course of the last 24 hours. I'm concerned about what I've learnt in the last hour or so. And the situation is volatile there's no question about that."
Mr Dutton has also confirmed that at least one asylum seeker has attempted to self harm.
"There has been an attempt of self harm. There has been an offer of medical assistance. In at least one case, a person has been transferred for x-rays and for more specialist and expert attention and that support will be provided where necessary."
And any hopes that asylum seekers may have had that he may soften his stance on immigration policy were quickly quashed.
"Regardless of what you might be told by people within the centre, or advocates or people within the broader community that somehow with a change of minister that the situation has changed with Operation Soveriegn Borders or the way this government will deal with these matters is absolutely wrong."
Australian Greens Immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young has dismissed Mr Dutton's comments as inadequate.
"I fear that the harsh message that he attempted to send to those who are already showing such awful tragic signs of desperation will simply inflame the situation. We know that those inside the Manus Island detention centre, acting out of desperation, already feel that they've lost all hope. What we need is not harsh sound bites from the Immigration Minister, but a little more heart and a little more compassion and empathy. I'm extremely concerned that the minister doesn't seem to be taking this situation as seriously as he should."
