Refugee ban bill introduced to parliament

Controversial draft laws to ban boat-arriving refugees from ever entering Australia have been introduced to federal parliament.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said his legislation would send a message to people smugglers that life in Australia was not an illicit commodity to be sold to the desperate and vulnerable.

With Labor confirming its opposition, the government will need the support of Senate cross benchers.

Mr Dutton said despite authorities turning back some 30 boat ventures, the problem has not and will not go away.

"We need to recognise that this problem will be with us for our life times."