Ahead of UN talks, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says Australia's border protection policy is the best in the world.
Malcolm Turnbull has heralded Australia's border protection policy as the best in the world, ahead of refugee talks at the United Nations.
The prime minister talked up Australia's "right responses" in having strong borders as well as one of the most generous humanitarian programs in the world, in New York on Saturday.
"The two go together," he told reporters ahead of Monday's (Tuesday AEST) international gatherings on migration and refugees.
"Our policy on border protection is the best in the world."
Australia knows the consequences of abandoning strong policies, he said, outlining the 50,000 unauthorised arrivals, 800 boats and 12,000 deaths at sea blamed on the previous Rudd government.
Mr Turnbull also highlighted the government's annual humanitarian intake.
"Public opinion will not accept a generous humanitarian program, a substantial migration program, unless the government is seen to be in command of its borders," he cautioned.
The prime minister cited worldwide evidence of uncontrolled migration flows which cause destabilisation but insisted he wasn't about to dictate to others.
"We don't tell anybody else how to run their country," he said.
Mr Turnbull, who will remain in New York with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, has accepted an invitation to attend US President Barack Obama's leader's summit on refugees, which will take place on the sidelines of the United Nation's General Assembly on Tuesday.
President Obama wants the gathering to commit to increasing funding for humanitarian organisations and global appeals by at least 30 per cent, boost resettlement options and increase opportunities for refugees through education.
