The Australian Greens have today urged Malcolm Turnbull to accept the Victorian Government's offer to give refuge to the 267 asylum seekers slated for deportation to Nauru.

If Malcolm Turnbull is truly different and if he's actually running this government then he will step up and let them stay," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the Syrian refugees beginning to arrive under Australia's emergency intake, cautioning the world against lashing out in anger over the horrific attacks in Paris.

"A united Australian community is much stronger in helping to defeat these threats than one that's divided. Hate is the problem here, it's not the answer," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

"As a community we need to recognise that the people seeking refuge in Australia are fleeing the kind of violence and barbarism that we've seen in Paris.

The Australian Greens have condemned the Abbott Government's decision to commence airstrikes in Syria, warning it will worsen the refugee crisis and aggravate extremism.

"At a time when our community is desperate to show compassion to people fleeing war in Syria, Tony Abbott is dropping bombs," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

"I'm so proud of the way Australians have told the government loud and clear that we are strong enough to offer protection to people seeking refuge from war.

Australian Greens Leader Richard Di Natale is calling on the Australian government to initiate an emergency intake of 20,000 refugees fleeing sectarian violence in Syria's ongoing civil war, where over 250,000 men, women and children have already died.

"Four million people are fleeing war in Syria. Two million of those are children. To welcome 20,000 of them into our community would be such an honourable and dignified response from Australia," Senator Di Natale said.

 HESTA owned a 3 per cent stake in Transfield, valued in excess of $18 million. 

“We welcome HESTA’s corporate leadership on this issue and congratulate HESTA CEO Debby Blakey for taking this step,” Greens Spokesperson for Immigration Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

The Greens have expressed serious concerns over growing tension between Papua New Guinean authorities and the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection, calling on the Australian Government to explain what has happened with three Australian Wilson guards from Manus Island accused of raping a local PNG woman.

The Greens have expressed concern over allegations of violence including murder and rape on Manus Island involving detention centre staff and have called on the Australian Government to give a full explanation of what has occurred.

The Greens have called on the Abbott Government to explain what has happened to 42 Vietnamese asylum seekers who were intercepted close to the West Australian coast last week. 

"Reports that Australian authorities handed these families over to the Vietnamese Government are extremely alarming," Greens Immigration Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

The Greens have today expressed dismay at Labor's decision to adopt Tony Abbott's refugee "turn-back" policies and the keep the Nauru and Manus Island camps open.

"Labor had an opportunity today to stand up against the cruelty of turn-backs and the suffering of refugees on Nauru and Manus Island, but sadly they failed. Many Australians will be heartbroken and gutted," Greens Immigration Spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

Question—That the amendments be agreed to—put.

The committee divided—

AYES (Voted Yes), 16

Senators—

Di Natale (Greens)

Ludlam (Greens)

Rhiannon (Greens)

Waters (Greens)

Hanson-Young (Greens)

Madigan (Independent) 

Rice (Greens)