Immigration Minister Tony Burke says the message that Australia is not resettling boat people is already getting through to people smugglers.
AAP reports Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced in Brisbane on Friday that all asylum seekers arriving by boat will be processed and resettled in Papua New Guinea or somewhere else, but not in Australia.
Mr Burke said reports from people smugglers and asylum seekers indicate the message is already getting through.
"Does this unilaterally mean we can give a date on when boats stop? No," he told ABC Radio on Monday.
"But certainly, be in no doubt the product that people smugglers are selling is no longer available."
