Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called for people to speak freely about the asylum seeker issue as she prepares to announce a new policy direction as early as tomorrow.
Cabinet is expected to meet today to discuss the new approach ahead of Thursday's deadline to extend or end the three-month freeze on processing Sri Lankan asylum seeker claims.
Ms Gillard is reportedly in talks with the Sri Lankan and Afghan government to come to an agreement to ensure the safety of failed asylum bids.
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She says she doesn't want community debate shut down by political correctness.
She says being anxious about border security doesn't make someone a racist, just as being concerned about children in detention doesn't make someone soft.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the government can't be trusted on border protection and only the coalition can stop the boats.
The issue was a difficult one for former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who faced backlash from voters after scores of boats arrived in the country in the last seven months alone.
