The measures would lower the bar for criminals' visas to be cancelled, making them automatically fail the character test if they were convicted of certain offences which carry a jail term of two or more years.

Designated crimes would include violent offences such as murder, manslaughter, kidnapping and threatening violence and possessing a weapon.

Sexual assault and sharing of an indecent images without consent would also be covered, along with breaches of protection orders.

"These are crimes that inflict long lasting trauma on the victims and their friends and family," Mr Coleman said on Thursday.

"They are abhorrent and those foreign criminals who commit them are not welcome in our country."

Labor's home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally said the bill had already been to a Senate inquiry during the last parliament.

"It really is up to the government to prove why this change is needed and what the minister can't do under the current broad powers," she said.

A second parliamentary inquiry into the legislation is due to report during the next sittings of federal parliament in September.

Mr Coleman said Labor should explain why it doesn't support the laws which target sex offenders, violent thugs and people who commit crimes against women and children.

"How can Labor possibly justify their stance on this law? Their position is outrageous," he said.

Civil liberties groups and lawyers have questioned the need for the law changes.

Australian Associated Press