The Refugee Council of Australia says it is worried about the mental and physical health of child asylum seekers who have been sent to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea.
Four children were among 19 boat people in the first transfer of asylum seekers to the island last week under Canberra's reinstated offshore processing policy.
The Refugee Council of Australia has joined a call for Australia to stop sending children to Manus.
Chief executive Paul Power says it is worried about the mental and physical health risks posed by detention on the island.
"Of the provinces of Papua New Guinea, Manus Island has the highest rates of malaria. And there are also significant concerns about dengue fever. Our country is sending people to a period perhaps five years, who knows? of in effect, detention, in an environment where people are going to be very much struggling psychologically."
Paul Power says the Refugee Council believes Australia has diverted responsibility for the welfare of the children onto Manus.
