"There is an expectation from the broader Australian population that we do accept that it's not OK to hold people indefinitely and that it's not OK for our government to hold children.
"It's a really abhorrent chapter in our nation's history."
Latest figures show the average time spent in Australian immigration detention centres is 565 days, substantially higher than countries such as Canada (30 days) and the United States (48 days).
There are over 900 people in immigration detention centres according to Department of Home Affairs figures.
'Abhorrent chapter': New bill proposes 90-day cap on immigration detention. SBS, AAP