The Australian Government might be prepared to consider reopening the asylum seeker processing centre on Nauru, but the Coalition continues to refuse to have the conversation.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has repeated his demand for a Government proposal in writing before any meeting about the refugee crisis takes place .
But he said he would interrupt Christmas Day to discuss the issue if the Government writes to him first.
''I'm happy to spend it negotiating on this issue if the Government is prepared to put a specific proposal forward,'' Mr Abbott said.
''My holidays are not as important as sorting this out but we can only sort it out if the Government is prepared to take a position.''
But Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has ruled out a letter, saying the only way forward is for the Government and Opposition to meet. ''Our preferred option is simply to sit in a room and work it through together,'' Mr Bowen said.
''I'm happy to have turkey with Tony Abbott on Christmas, but first we've got to talk turkey.'' Meanwhile, two Liberal elder statesmen have suggested Mr Abbott should try to negotiate with the Government on asylum seeker policy.
Mr Abbott wants Labor to drop its so-called Malaysian solution and instead return to processing asylum seekers in Nauru while also reintroducing the Howard government's policies of temporary protection visas and turning boats around.
Mr Bowen would not rule Nauru in or out yesterday and said that was why a face-to-face meeting was necessary. ''What I'm indicating is that we're prepared to talk about all these issues,'' he said.''We are prepared to have this discussion with the Opposition and we recognise that to reach a mutually agreed position, one that both sides can support, means both sides sitting and trying to find the common ground.''
Prime Minister Julia Gillard wrote to Mr Abbott last week offering to recall Parliament in order to amend the Migration Act to allow offshore processing of asylum seekers.
Mr Abbott will not entertain further discussions until the Government drops its Malaysia preference and gives him a new written proposal.
But former Howard government immigration minister Philip Ruddock, now a Liberal backbencher, has suggested the Malaysian solution could work.
The High Court ruled invalid the Malaysia plan, which sought to swap 800 asylum seekers reaching Australia for 4000 verified refugees from Malaysia.
Former Howard government foreign minister Alexander Downer also said it was time for the Opposition to hold serious talks with the Government about asylum seeker policy.
.gif)
