Refugee hot topic for PM talks in PNG

Refugee resettlement will be top of the agenda for Tony Abbott during his first visit to Papua New Guinea since becoming prime minister.

Mr Abbott arrived in Port Moresby on Thursday for a three-day visit, which will also focus on deepening economic ties.

Asylum seekers will be high on the agenda given PNG hosts the controversial Australian detention centre on its Manus Island.

Asylum seekers blamed resettlement and processing difficulties for the February riot at the centre that led to the death of Iranian Reza Berati.

Mr Abbott said he would discuss with PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill ways to speed up the resettlement program.

"I'll be talking to Prime Minister O'Neill about what we can do to get people swiftly out of the Manus camp and at least some resettled here in PNG, as was agreed with (former) prime minister (Kevin) Rudd some months ago," he said after touching down in Port Moresby.

Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles told ABC radio on Friday it was not "rocket science" to assume there would be tension in those talks given no processing was happening.

He said the government needed a more "hands-on approach" on working out resettlement arrangements.