Another controversy is expected to rock Australia's asylum policy amid reports that even pregnant women would be sent to Manus Island - now more known as Rape Island - in Papua New Guinea for processing.

They face the risk of malaria and miscarriage in the mosquito-ridden aisle, plus the danger also of being sexually abused just like what has happened to several male asylum seekers to Australia.

The decision to send pregnant women and even younger children to Manus Island reverses the Department of Immigration's own policy eight months back that females who are infanticipating would not be sent to Manus.

In November, the International Health and Medical Services that operates medical services in all detention network recommended in November recommended that children below five years old should not take anti-malaria medicine Malarone and pregnant women should not go to Manus due to its high rates of malaria infections.

Fairfax reports that there are at least three asylum seekers who lost their foetuses after they were detained on Manus in the early part of 2013, which the women blamed on the anti-malaria drugs they ingested since they were unaware of being pregnant.

However, Immigration Minister Tony Burke said "people will be sent to Manus Island when I am confident they will be safe and there is appropriate accommodation and services in place," despite attempts to exempt certain groups from being sent to Rape Island, which is also rife with stories of torture even among children detainees.

Immigration spokesman Sandi Logan insisted it has not sent children under seven to Manus Island due to the conservative approach the department takes regarding risks to malaria. She said all asylum seekers get health checks, including anti-malaria shots before they are sent to Manus, but not children.

A World Health Organisation advisory warned that Malarone, the medication, must not be inoculated on children who weigh less than 5 kilogrammes since they lack built-up resistance.