The Federal Government has moved to relax secrecy rules that made it illegal for detention centre workers to speak out against abuse or neglect.
The secrecy rules threatened workers in immigration detention centres with two years' jail if they spoke out about abuse or neglect.
But the Coalition has moved amendments that mean it will only be illegal for workers to release information that could threaten Australia's security.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton introduced the amendment on Wednesday, saying it was to clarify the secrecy and disclosure provisions to reflect the policy intent.
Greens immigration spokesman Nick McKim said the restrictions were originally designed to keep a lid on what was happening in immigration detention centres and the amendment was an admission that the current provisions "are far too draconian".
"It's a humiliating backdown not only for Peter Dutton but for [Malcolm] Turnbull," he told AM.
"And I've got no doubt that this is being done for the same reason that they relaxed restrictions on doctors last year, and that is they know it won't stand up in the High Court."
Refugee advocates have been challenging the secrecy rules in the High Court.
George Newhouse from advocacy group the National Justice Project said the existing secrecy provisions had a chilling effect on workers.
"They told me that they were extremely concerned about the potential for them to be prosecuted," he said.
"In fact, I know that many of them did censor themselves and did not speak out as a result of those laws."
