The home affairs minister is refusing to allow the father of an asylum seeker to accompany her to Australia from Nauru for medical treatment.

The woman will travel to Australia for psychological assessment.

Peter Dutton tabled a statement to parliament on Wednesday detailing his decision, whom he alleges would expose the Australian community to a serious risk of criminal conduct.

The home affairs department has been unable to verify the man's identity.

But the department was able to advise Mr Dutton the man has a history of violent and manipulative behaviour, including allegations of physical assault against his children.

Mr Dutton has also been told the man has engaged in military service in Iran.

Under medical evacuation laws, doctors can recommend asylum seekers held offshore be brought to Australia for treatment.

They can generally be accompanied by family members.

However, the minister can reject transfers on national security grounds.

Mr Dutton has approved the Iranian woman to travel, along with her brother.

The woman has other family members in Australia.

Labor home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally said the minister's decision proves the so-called medevac laws were working as they should.

"Why did Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton claim people of bad character could be transferred to Australia under medevac when it's clear they have the powers to deny such transfers?" she asked.

"Peter Dutton is so desperate to distract from the 95,000 aeroplane people who have arrived on his watch, he's boasting about using a power Labor ensured was in place to keep security threats out of the country."

The Morrison government is looking to scrap the refugee medical evacuation laws, and is lobbying Senate crossbencher Jacqui Lambie for her support.

Senator Lambie has said the deteriorating situation in Syria may see her support the repeal.