government puts nauru back on the table

But Abbott is still determined to scuttle off-shore processing by being inflexible....
ABC Online..
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has welcomed reports the Government will consider reopening Howard-era facilities on Nauru as an offshore processing centre for asylum seekers.

Reports in The Australian today say Immigration Minister Chris Bowen has been given the authority to put Nauru on the table in talks with the Opposition aimed at ending the stand-off over offshore processing.

Speaking on ABC radio this morning, Mr Abbott said he still needed a proposal in writing before he could enter into talks with the Government.

"That's great that the Prime Minister has finally woken up to the fact that her stubbornness was getting Australian nowhere, but if she wants the Opposition to sit down and talk, we need to have a proposal in writing," he said.

Mr Abbott ruled out doing a deal which would include offshore processing in Malaysia and said he also wanted the Government to adopt his temporary protection visas policy.

He said any talks should be between himself and Julia Gillard, not between Mr Bowen and his Coalition counterpart Scott Morrison.

"I do think that for something as important as this the Prime Minister should be prepared to break her holidays," he said.

Dave R.