Asylum refugee change just an 'election fix'

The federal opposition says the government's abrupt change of policy on asylum seekers is only designed to get the Labor Party past the next election.

Opposition education spokesman Christopher Pyne says the backflip won't stop boats arriving in Australia.

The federal government announced yesterday it's toughening its policy on asylum seekers by immediately suspending the processing of all new refugee claims by Sri Lankans and Afghanis.

Mr Pyne has told the ABC it's a panicked reaction which won't make any difference to the number of asylum seekers making the dangerous voyage.

But Financial Services Minister Chris Bowen says security conditions in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are improving to the point where fewer refugee applications from these two countries will be granted.

Human rights advocates meanwhile have condemned the change saying it will lead to the indefinite detention of Sri Lankans and Afghans.