Labor's crawl towards a more compassionate approach to refugees does not change their continued support for cruel and ineffective policies, Greens Spokesperson for Immigration Nick McKim says.

"These are baby steps only, and Australia needs this to be the beginning of a more compassionate and humane approach to people seeking Australia's protection," Senator McKim said.

"It’s time for Labor to add some vertebrae to their newly formed spine and reject offshore detention and boat turnbacks."

It's time for Labor to grow a spine and reject the government's latest deliberate cruelty against refugees, Australian Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.

"Labor should not need to wait for the legislation to land before deciding whether it has the strength to take a principled stand," Senator McKim said.

“They need to decide whether they are going to line up with the Coalition and One Nation, or whether they have the compassion and strength to vote this hateful legislation down.”