Labor might be keen to support an asylum seeker deal between Australia and the United States in principle but they find it hypocritical the government couldn't support a similar deal introduced by Julia Gillard.
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said on Saturday the Liberals should explain why they blocked a refugee settlement deal with Malaysia in 2011, considering they look like they're doing the same just with another country.
"It is about time (Immigration Minister) Peter Dutton and (Prime Minister) Malcolm Turnbull explained why they voted against what looks like exactly the same arrangement that Labor proposed with Malaysia," Ms Plibersek told reporters.
Coalition backbencher Eric Abetz said it wasn't just the government that opposed the Malaysia deal.
"The High Court had its say on the Malaysia deal as well, which I think put an end to that in any event," he said on Saturday.
The High Court found the deal unlawful in 2011.
According to News Corp Australia, a deal to resettle Nauru and Manus Island detainees is imminent following months' of negotiations.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he supported the idea "in principle" on Friday afternoon.
"We obviously need to see the detail but I think that our strong bipartisan commitment to stop the scourge of people smuggling does not mean that people need to be kept in indefinite detention," Mr Shorten said.
"We need strong borders but fair treatment as well."
