The federal opposition's tough new asylum seeker policies could face legal issues, the coalition's immigration spokesman admits.
The coalition is expected to unveil on Friday how it will deal with the 32,000 asylum seekers who have already reached Australia by boat but who are yet to be processed.
Under the plan, if they are found to be genuine refugees they will be given temporary protection visas (TPV) valid for up to three years.
Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says the TPVs will be constantly reviewed and there is "no guarantee" they would lead to permanent residency, The Australian newspaper reports.
People on the TPVs will be denied family reunions but will be allowed to work.
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Mr Morrison is also expected to announce a return to the Howard-era administrative refugee processing system, which denied asylum seekers appeal access to the courts.
Mr Morrison concedes there could be legal issues with the policy.
"This is a difficult legal area," he told ABC radio.
"There are many legal issues we've got to work through and they are most appropriately worked through with the full resources of government."
Deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop says asylum seekers who are on TPVs will be sent back home should the situation in their countries improve.
But Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare dismissed the policy as a re-hash of something the Liberal Party announced a long time ago. He says boat numbers have dwindled since Labor announced its offshore resettlement policy on July 19.
