Protesters camp outside Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation centre in Broadmeadows

REFUGEE supporters are camping outside a Broadmeadows detention centre as they crank up their fight against lengthy detainment periods.

Protest refugees Broadmeadows

REFUGEE supporters are camping outside a Broadmeadows detention centre as they crank up their fight against lengthy detainment periods.

Around 50 people set up tents outside the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation centre last night, vowing to stay there until 27 ASIO-rejected refugees, that are now into day five of a hunger strike, are released.

The strike has resulted in three of the refugees being hospitalised in the past two days.

Greens lead Senate candidate Janet Rice visited the Camp Rd site this morning and said she was pleased to support the action.

"These refugees are in indefinite detention," she said.

"It's bad for them, it's bad for our country.

"I want to see refugees welcomed into our community and play productive roles in our society."

Ms Rice said the refugees were ordinary people in search of a peaceful life.

"For this to be so desperate that they're hunger striking...is such a powerful message to send to the community," she said.

"We'll be taking whatever action we can in Parliament and supporting action in the community for people to care and show compassion."

Visitor Daniella Olea said last year's High Court ruling had found it was illegal to detain refugees on ASIO grounds.

"I've seen them go from very healthy men with hope to people that can't even move," Ms Olea said.

"We don't check tourists for health and security.

"Their clear message is that they would like to be released into the community on whatever orders that is."

Refugee Action Collective spokeswoman and Moreland councillor Sue Bolton said there was no need for ASIO to have any role in security clearances.

"We want to see if we can build up with momentum this camp to put pressure on the government," she said.

"We actually are really pleased with the numbers .

"We're especially encouraging local supporters of refugees to come down, especially from Hume and Moreland areas."

Community members, including children, have joined the action, with one Broadmeadows man even locking himself in a cage to represent the plight of those detained for more than four years.

Others, like Footscray resident Gemma Walsh, are supporting friends who were previously asylum seekers and experienced "unnecessary trauma" and psychological damage.

It is expected more people will camp out overnight.

Calwell Federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou said she empathised with protestors, but ``it must be made clear that this is not an action that can be used to change the outcome of people in detention’’.

She said the Government had a responsibility to base decisions on what was in the national interest, particularly in regards to national security issues.

``It’s distressing for people in our community to know that people in detention are anxious about their future,’’ Ms Vamvakinou said.

``I am aware that every effort is being made to complete each review as soon as possible.’’