The Australian Greens say that that the Government must come clean on whether payments were made to boat crews to turn asylum seekers back to Indonesia and whether Government officials have acted illegally. 

"These are very serious allegations and the Government must come clean. The public has a right to know if the Abbott Government has participated in people trafficking or not," Greens spokesperson for Immigration Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Australian Greens have demanded answers today over reports from an Indonesian Police Chief that Australian officials paid thousands of dollars to the crew of an asylum seeking boat to turn around.

"The Government must give a full account of what has occurred here. No excuses for secrecy and cover-up will wash this time," Greens spokesperson for immigration Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The cloak and dagger secrecy of the Australian Government continues after the arrival of four refugees in Cambodia from Nauru.  

"Australia has bribed Cambodia to take these poor people. There is no assurance any of this money will go to those who need it," Greens spokesperson on Immigration Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"It is clear that the Australian-Cambodian deal is an expensive flop. Only four people have agreed to go at a huge cost of $55.5 million Australian dollars

Conflicting reports from service providers on Nauru and Minister Dutton that the refugee boy suffering from a seriously broken arm on Nauru will be transferred to India for surgery, rather than being brought back to Australia, is a national disgrace.

The Australian government continues to its secret operations on the high seas while ignoring its regional responsibilities after a boat carrying 65 asylum seekers, including three toddlers, crashes onto a reef after being turned away by the Australian Navy.

"The Abbott Government's heavy handed secrecy continues as Australians find more out from Indonesian authorities than we do our own Government," Greens spokesperson for Immigration Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Greens have today renewed calls to give people found to be refugees permanent visas. In responding to reports today that the NSW Government has agreed to work with the Federal Government to place refugees in country areas for work, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called for a proper work-to-permanency pathway. 

"Under the current rules there is no clear pathway for permanency under the Government's new Safe Haven Enterprise Visas, this needs fixing," Greens Immigration Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young said today.  

At today's Rohingya crisis meeting in Bangkok Australia has an opportunity to provide leadership and initiate practical steps to assist in humanitarian efforts to save lives.  

"As one of the wealthiest countries in the region Australia needs to play a leading role at the Rohingya crisis talks and not rely solely on our neighbours to help and resettle refugees stranded in the South East Asian waters", Greens spokesperson for Immigration Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

After writing to the Commissioner in relation to  child abuse claims in Australian immigration detention centres, The Australian Greens welcome news that the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is considering allegations of abuse against children within the detention network.

"Refugee children are already extremely vulnerable and the fact that some of them have been subjected to further abuse and assault is sickening and must be exposed" Greens spokesperson on Immigration, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said. 

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale says it's time for Australia to step up and help huge numbers of people fleeing persecution in our region.

"These people are in desperate need of help. They are refugees and they deserve a home in Australia," said Senator Di Natale.

"Instead of turning our backs and turning back the boats, we should welcome these people with open arms.

"They will make an enormous contribution to our nation, as have generations of refugees and other migrants before them.

"Last week the  government cut 28 million dollars of aid to Burma. A week later they want a 'pat on the back' for restoring less than a quarter of that" Greens spokesperson for Immigration Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"It's time Australia was genuine with the humanitarian assistance we give our regional neighbours. Australia should restore all foreign aid cuts to Burma and apply diplomatic action focused on addressing human rights abuses against the Rohingyan people.