PM announces new plan to 'stop the boats'

GOVERNMENT RAMPS UP SECURITY TO DETER PEOPLE SMUGGLERS

* Police, the military and Australian Border Force have been working on "contingency plans" in the event laws related to asylum seekers in offshore detention are changed.

* Cabinet's National Security Committee met on Wednesday to receive their advice.

* As a result, a "range of strengthenings" will boost Operation Sovereign Borders.

* Certain details of the stronger capacity won't be publicly revealed.

* But Christmas Island detention facility will be reopened to deal with "the prospect of arrivals as well as dealing with the prospect of (medivac) transfers".

* The Department of Home Affairs will produce an "implementation report", which could lead to further changes.

THE COST

* Detainee transfers to Australia $21.5 million

* Home Affairs staffing and administration for transfers $24.5 million

* Christmas Island service provider costs $1.224 billion

* Christmas Island staffing and administration $167 million

* Does not take into account cost of any potential new arrivals

(Source: Prime Minister's Office)