The coalition's policy has "evolved" since the former Howard government's Pacific Solution, immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says.
"We've made no announcement that we'd be restoring the detention debt policy," he told Network Ten, referring to the controversial arrangement that saw debts of up to $100,000 accumulate.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The coalition has vowed to return to a policy of offshore processing and temporary protection visas.
It will also turn boats around and send asylum seekers who deliberately destroy identification documents back to their homelands.
Mr Morrison insists that boats can be turned around safely.
"When we were in government we did it... (and) it had the effect of sending a message to people smugglers which was incredibly effective."
There is also ground to tweak the United Nation's convention on refugees, he said, noting that although the principles are correct it is dated.
"This was a document drawn up in a very different world.
"We would always be party to a constructive conversation about how the convention can be improved."
