Death of 'brain dead' asylum-seeker needs answers: Labor

The family of a brain-dead Iranian asylum seeker whose life support was switched off deserves answers from the Australian government, Labor says.

Hamid Kehazaei was taken from Papua New Guinea's Manus detention centre last week after an infected cut in his foot deteriorated to severe septicaemia. He was treated at a Brisbane hospital.

Mr Kehazaei's family gave consent yesterday afternoon to switch his life support off, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed.

Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles says the 24-year-old's family deserves to know whether he received adequate care.

"The family and friends of Mr Kehazaei deserve to know he was afforded proper health care at every step," Mr Marles said today.

"Scott Morrison must immediately make sure his department does everything it can to support the family of Mr Kehazaei as they grieve the loss of Mr Kehazaei."

He said he welcomed a planned review of Mr Kehazaei's treatment.

"However, that review must be made public because the Abbott government has a woeful record when it comes to transparency surrounding how it cares for asylum seekers," Mr Marles said.

Refugee advocate Ian Rintoul said Mr Kehazaei's death was "senseless and inexcusable".

Mr Morrison has rejected suggestions the care provided to Mr Kehazaei was inadequate.

He has asked the immigration department's chief medical officer to review Mr Kehazaei's treatment, saying he not base his assessment on facts, not on Facebook.

Mr Morrison said the department had been in contact with Mr Kehazaei's family during his treatment and was continuing to support them.

A second vigil will be held for the Iranian asylum seeker at King George Square in Brisbane's CBD on Sunday night.

It follows one held at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane on Thursday.

Refugee Action Collective's Mark Gillespie said Mr Kehazaei's death was "needless and senseless".

"It is so tragic to see such a young life taken this way and it is an indictment on the way our government is treating asylum seekers," he said.

"The neglect of these people locked away in Australia's offshore detention facilities, out of sight, out of mind, is systemic."