Independent MPs push further on refugees

As federal Labor rejects claims by the government that it wants to end the offshore processing of asylum seekers, two independent MPs have laid out a plan for doing just that.

Andrew Wilkie, backed by Kerryn Phelps, has introduced legislation to parliament that would set up a network of centres - located in and run by countries in the Asia-Pacific - where asylum seekers can go to be registered and have their immediate humanitarian needs met.

"We have a regional processing solution that does away with mandatory detention, does away with offshore processing," Mr Wilkie told parliament on Monday.