Triggs says Somali refugee case 'curious'

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has dismissed calls by the Human Rights Commission president for an independent body to monitor detention centres in Australia and abroad.

Gillian Triggs on Monday said the "curious" case of a Somali woman who claims she fell pregnant after being raped on Nauru highlighted the need for more transparency.

Asked about her proposal on Tuesday, Mr Dutton said the centres have been visited a number of times by organisations such as the Red Cross and UNHCR.

"The way in which the oversight regime operates at the moment, the way in which we are providing support with Australian taxpayers money to those who need medical assistance, that is a system that will continue into the future," he told reporters in Canberra.

The 23-year-old refugee was flown to Australia last week for an abortion but was returned to Nauru after five days, with the immigration department saying she had changed her mind.

Professor Triggs told ABC TV's Lateline it was "extraordinary" that the woman, known was Abyan, was expected to make a decision in such a short space of time.

The immigration department has denied it imposed an arbitrary abortion deadline, with a senior official telling a Senate estimates hearing on Monday the woman declined two medical appointments to discuss the termination.

But in a statement released by her lawyers, Abyan said she did not receive counselling or see a doctor.

She told The Australian newspaper on Tuesday she still wanted to have an abortion, but not in Australia.

Mr Dutton said he would not be making any more public comment on the issue.

"You wouldn't accept this level of discussion had it been a woman in Australia who had alleged rape," he added.

"We'll continue to provide support in a private way, which I think respects the lady's privacy and I think that's the proper way forward."