Labor seeks censure over boat cash

Labor has moved to censure Prime Minister Tony Abbott over his failure to deny reports that people smugglers have been paid by Australian officials to return to Indonesia.

Mr Abbott has declined to say whether $US30,000 was handed over, arguing that it's an operational matter.

"Australian taxpayers have a right to know if their money is going to the most vile trade that both sides of this chamber have made the strongest comments against," Labor frontbencher Tony Burke told parliament.