'Moral burden' will not impede border policies: Morrison

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has delivered a steadfast defence of his border protection policies, including child detention, during a human rights inquiry in Canberra.

The hearing was highly charged at times, as Mr Morrison was repeatedly asked to justify why children are being held in detention on the Australian mainland, Christmas Island and Nauru.

Mr Morrison said while he wanted to free more children from the centres, the Government must continue with policies that work - and that he could not allow his feelings as a father to get in the way.

"As a parent of two young children, the emotional challenges of working in this policy portfolio are just as real and just as great as they would be for any other parent in my position," he said.

more: 'Moral burden' will not impede border policies: Morrison

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has delivered a steadfast defence of his border protection policies, including child detention, during a human rights inquiry in Canberra.

The hearing was highly charged at times, as Mr Morrison was repeatedly asked to justify why children are being held in detention on the Australian mainland, Christmas Island and Nauru.

Mr Morrison said while he wanted to free more children from the centres, the Government must continue with policies that work - and that he could not allow his feelings as a father to get in the way.

"As a parent of two young children, the emotional challenges of working in this policy portfolio are just as real and just as great as they would be for any other parent in my position," he said.