Morrison won't elaborate on smuggling case

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has refused to elaborate on reports an Australian citizen has been stripped of his passport after secret evidence suggested he was a people smuggler.

ASIO used national security legislation to successfully argue that the unidentified man's alleged activities were a threat to Australia's security, the ABC reports.

Mr Morrison said it was not unusual for someone's passport to be revoked for security reasons, but he wouldn't provide details about the particular case.

"I don't think it would be very wise for me to go into those sort of operational issues about how or when these things are done," Mr Morrison told reporters in Brisbane.

"We work closely with security agencies to identify risks and threats and how these things should be acted upon."

Mr Morrison said the government has had "remarkable success" stopping people smugglers.

The man has appealed the decision to have his passport stripped in the Federal Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Tribunal members heard evidence from ASIO in private.