Australia is to reopen a controversial detention camp on Christmas Island, the country’s prime minister has said.

Scott Morrison announced the decision after Australia’s parliament passed legislation giving sick asylum seekers easier access to mainland hospitals.

A security committee of his cabinet agreed to reopen the camp on the advice of senior security officials, he said.

“We have approved putting in place the re-opening of the Christmas Island detention facilities, both to deal with the prospect of arrivals as well as dealing with the prospect of transfers", he told reporters.

It was part of a range of measures, he said was needed to stop the human trafficking trade.

Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Show all 8 1 /8 Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Invasion Day protesters march down a street during Australia Day in Brisbane, Australia. EPA Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Invasion Day protesters march down a street during Australia Day in Brisbane, Australia. EPA Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Invasion Day protesters march down a street during Australia Day in Brisbane, Australia. EPA Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Invasion Day protesters march down a street during Australia Day in Brisbane, Australia. EPA Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Invasion Day protesters march down a street during Australia Day in Brisbane, Australia. EPA Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Invasion Day protesters march down a street during Australia Day in Brisbane, Australia. EPA Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Invasion Day protesters march down a street during Australia Day in Brisbane, Australia. EPA Tens of thousands protest against Australia Day Protesters shouts slogans as they march through the streets of Sydney in an "Invasion Day" rally on Australia Day. AFP/Getty Images

"My job now is to ensure that the boats don't come. My job now is to do everything within my power and in the power of the government to ensure that what the parliament has done to weaken our borders does not result in boats coming to Australia," he said.

Against his government’s wishes, the Australian Senate later passed legislation 36 votes to 34 that would allow doctors instead of bureaucrats to decide which asylum seekers on camps on the Pacific island nations of Papua New Guinea and Nauru can fly to Australia for hospital treatment.

It was passed 75-74.

Mr Morrison called it “a foolish law” and “not one that I support”.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

The Christmas Island detention centre closed late last year, although it was kept in a condition which meant it could be reopened at short notice.

In 2010, 50 asylum seekers drowned when their boat sank after hitting rocks on its coast. There were also riots on the island.

Before it was shuttered, Amnesty Internation criticised the facility.

After a visit, the organisation's Graham Thom told ABC News it had "a prison regime and a very prison type feel."