Public split on returning babies to Nauru

Public opinion is divided over whether a group of asylum seeker babies born in Australia should be returned to Nauru.

Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets across the country in recent weeks calling for 267 people, including the 37 Australian-born babies, to be allowed to stay in Australia following a High Court decision.

But an Essential Poll published on Tuesday has found while 40 per cent believe the babies should be allowed to stay, 39 per cent think they should be sent back to the detention centre on the island.