Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Friday has branded the so-called Pacific Solution for processing asylum seekers by the coalition as “very expensive.”

Opposition Leader Tony Abbot told media yesterday the coalition government will push for a negotiation with other countries to process the claims on offshore of asylum seekers, which may result in a “tsunami” of unauthorized boat arrivals.

It was also mentioned that the former Howard government have used Nauru and Manus Islands as a stopover for six to 12 months before 70 per cent of asylum seekers gained official entry to Australia.

The cost to taxpayers was at $300 to $400 million.

"Let's just call a spade a spade here, it might look good in the headlines (but) very expensive and a huge number ended coming back to Australia," Mr Rudd told a local television network on Friday.

He said the number of asylum seekers have increased and declined due to the global security concerns.

Meanwhile, David Manne also said today the “extremely damaging” results of the controversial offsore processing process was well documented.

"The opposition's proposal represents a conscious decision to reintroduce policies they know cause pain and suffering to vulnerable people including women, children and families," he told ABC Radio.

Scott Morrison, the opposition immigration spokesperson said the coalition have learned its lesson from the experiences during the previous administration.

"These are lessons that can be applied into the future with our policies in government again," he said.

"I don't think you can leap to the conclusion that by seeking to place people in detention facilities offshore that is any worse for people in detention ... in Derby."