The Government's plan to replace supplementary welfare payments for asylum seekers with a new system of supports has been criticised by FLAC, the organisation of free legal aid centres.
The measure would "further marginalise this already vulnerable group" and could prove to be unlawful, it claimed.
It also expressed concern that proper procedures had not yet been established to deal with applications for refugee status.
In addition, FLAC called on the Government to clarify its previously-stated commitment to establish a legal service for asylum seekers.