Sister Mary Trainor said she supports moves by some Anglican and Uniting Church members in Sydney and Brisbane to offer sanctuary to people including women and children who may find themselves being sent to Nauru and Manus Islands.

“What the government is proposing is simply not humane,” she said.

Both Sister Mary and councillor Neil Jones from the Social Justice Group who have been advocating for refugee rights for the last year and a half, say the latest government announcement is a blow to freedom and humanity.

“I am heartbroken,” Cr Jones said.

Sister Mary said until a ruling by the High Court three days ago that Australia’s offshore detention laws were legal, the tide of public opinion had turned on allowing more refugees to stay in Australia, particularly after the highly publicised vision of a toddler found on a European beach went worldwide.

“Who could not be touched by seeing those pictures of tiny infants suffering,” she said.

Bishop of Bathurst Reverend Ian Palmer was contacted for comment, on sanctuary being offered to refugees however he was unavailable as he is in the Solomon Islands

Reverend Gary Neville of St Barnabas Anglican Church in Orange  said in his personal opinion churches are a place of sanctuary for those escaping persecution.

“But I do still believe you have to have some system in place to check on people’s backgrounds,” he said.

Sister Mary said the example of German and Italian refugees who flooded into Australia after World War II even though they fought the allies as the enemy is a classic example of how people need a new start in life.

“They went on to become model citizens,” she said.

She said she cannot believe a leaked cabinet document has indicated the government is developing an even harsher policy to monitor and track asylum seekers.

Refugees seeking to become Australian Citizens have to pass a written test and score 75 per cent or more. Here is a sample   

What is the name of the proposal to make a law in parliament?

Which arm of government has the power to introduce and apply law?

What happened in Australia on January 1, 1901?

What is the name of the legal document that sets out the rules for the governing of Australia?