Labor backs detention secrecy rule changes

Labor has backed the watering down of controversial secrecy rules preventing workers speaking out about Australia's immigration detention centres.

It has also supported a move to give the immigration minister the power - instead of his department secretary, as originally proposed - to make changes to what kind of information can be kept secret or disclosed following concerns raised during a Senate inquiry.

Parliament's lower house on Monday passed legislation that narrows the definition of information that can be protected, backdated to 2015.

It, in effect, strips out the prospect of jail for teachers, lawyers, social workers and others who divulge information about detainee neglect or abuse.

The proposal was roundly praised by refugee advocates and lawyers when introduced to parliament in early August.

Labor's immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann told parliament the changes were sensible.