Peter Dutton says refugees released from Melbourne hotel detention to save money

The home affairs minister says its cheaper for refugees to live in the community as another 34 men set to be released

Home affairs minister Peter Dutton says the decision to release dozens of refugees who were held in Melbourne hotel rooms for more than a year was a cost-saving measure.

A further 34 men have been told they will be freed from detention facilities in Melbourne on Thursday, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre says, following the release of about two dozen detainees on Wednesday.