Australian immigration and customs officials have denied they're telling potential asylum seekers to remain in their home countries rather than seek asylum in Australia.
The Federal Government has launched an advertising campaign informing people considering seeking asylum in Australia that if they come by boat they'll be processed and settled in Papua New Guinea.
A spokesman for Customs and Border Protection Service, Matt Wardell, says at least four million dollars is being spent on the campaign.
He says it includes advertisements in foreign media including in Iran, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, with the help of NGOs and some foreign governments.
Mr Wardell told Murray Silby the ad campaign also targets existing refugee communities in Australia.
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