The illegal Manus Island regional processing centre will be closed down, at some point.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull have confirmed the future closure, but were quick to say no-one from the centre would be resettled in Australia.

The Papua New Guinea Government ordered the closure of the centre in April, after PNG's Supreme Court ruled it was illegal.

Australia is expected to give PNG extra resources to cope with the closure of the Manus Island camp, but Mr Dutton will not say how much.

“We haven't got a final figure on that,” he told reporters.

Mr Dutton says it is important to remember this is Labor’s fault.

“This Labor legacy of the failed border protection policy, not only did it result in 1,200 people drowning at sea, but it resulted in billions of dollars being spent on this program. It will take years to clean up this mess.”

PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill issued a statement, confirming “both Papua New Guinea and Australia are in agreement that the centre is to be closed”.

“A series of options are being advanced and implemented.

“It is important that this process is not rushed but carried out in a careful manner.

“This must take into account the interests of the people of Papua New Guinea and the wellbeing of asylum seekers and refugees.”

Australian government figures have suggested the detainees – even those confirmed as refugees – may be returned to their countries of origin.

Amy Maguire, senior lecturer in International Law at the University of Newcastle, has gone over Australia’s options and responsibilities, arguing that sending people back is not the right way.

“Australia’s argument that refugees and asylum seekers can go back to their country of origin risks their return to persecution,” she said.

“The prohibition on refoulement – the return of refugees to the site of persecution – is the fundamental principle of international refugee law,” she wrote in this article for The Conversation.