The federal government is keeping mum on reports it's considering resettling refugees in Kyrgyzstan.
The Central Asian country is on a list of nations authorities are weighing up sending those detained on Nauru and Manus Island, particularly Hazara Afghans, The Australian reports.
"We are having conversations with other countries to support our offshore processing arrangements and when we're in a position to make relevant announcements, the minister for immigration will do so," cabinet minister Mathias Cormann told Sky News on Saturday.
The Greens say Australia's asylum seeker policy is now verging on the ridiculous.
"What next? Are we going to send people to Mars?" Greens leader Richard Di Natale asked reporters in Melbourne.
"This is ridiculous that we would look for any option other than the most logical, humane and economically responsible option which is to ensure we process people here in Australia and, if they are found to be genuine refugees, that they are settled here."
Shorten says to 'trust' Labor on refugees
Labor said the government should disclose which countries it's talking to and trust the opposition in consultations for a solution.
Related reading
Wallaby star Pocock slams Abbott over refugee remarks
"Let's not make it a domestic political point-scorer game - people's lives are involved, it's too important," Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told reporters in Sydney.
However, he labelled a plan which saw just four refugees sent to Cambodia at a cost of $40 million as a failed experiment.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has called on the government to "trust Labor" in consultations for a solution to refugee settlement, as the government hinted it's considering resettling refugees in Kyrgyzstan.
Mr Shorten has told reporters in Sydney politicians shouldn't be making the issue "a domestic political point-scorer game," adding the issue is too important as people's lives are involved.
The Australian reports Kyrgyzstan is on a list of nations authorities are considering sending those detained on Nauru and Manus Island to, particularly Hazara Afghans.
Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann has told Sky News they're having conversations with other countries to support Australia's offshore processing arrangements, but Mr Shorten says the government should disclose which countries it's talking to and trust the opposition in consultations for a solution.
