Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has warned that refugee resettlement is not a ticket to a better life in a first world country.
His warning comes amid speculation the Abbott government is in negotiations to send asylum seekers on Nauru who are found to be refugees, to Cambodia.
Mr Morrison said resettlement was about sending people to places where they would be free from persecution.
"I just don't buy into this argument that only first world countries are able to participate in resettlement," he told Sky News.
Mr Morrison dismissed suggestions Australia would be adding to Cambodia's burden, saying countries in the region who wanted to provide safe havens for refugees would be doing so voluntarily.
Cambodia, a recipient of Australian government aid money, is in the midst of political turmoil.
The country's opposition party has boycotted parliament since the July elections, alleging widespread vote rigging, and its leaders have been charged with inciting civil unrest.
On the domestic front Mr Morrison confirmed he had provided billionaire MP Clive Palmer with a government briefing following unrest at the Manus Island detention centre in February which left one asylum seeker dead.
Mr Palmer is opposed to offshore processing.
His three Palmer United Party senators and Ricky Muir, from the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party, have formed a voting bloc for the new upper house.
They will wield substantial clout once the balance of power moves to the cross bench from July 1.
