Holy asylum seekers Boatman - Australia's border patrol forces would have a hotline to Tony Abbott under a Coalition Government to ask him if they're allowed to turn the boats back.

As another boatload of illegal immigrants arrived on the weekend - the 152nd since Labor won office - Mr Abbott explained how his pledge to turn back the boats would work.

"In the end it would be a prime ministerial decision," Mr Abbott said.

"It would be the Government's call based on advice of the commander on the spot."

Mr Abbott said the phone call from sea would come to him - on the boatphone - and it would be his choice whether or not to turn a boat back if it was safe to do so.

Holy asylum seekers, it's Boatman