Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott has declared "it's all over" for people smugglers, but says his official plan to "stop the boats" won't begin until after he and his new frontbench are sworn in next week.

Mr Abbott is back in Canberra, working through the process of deciding who will hold which portfolios in the new Coalition government - a process that has been delayed by tight results in some seats.

The arrival earlier this week of an asylum seeker boat carrying 57 passengers, including two foreign journalist, has triggered questions about when the Coalition's "Operation Sovereign Borders" will actually start.

The operation will be on hold until the official swearing-in ceremony has been held "in the first half of next week".

But Mr Abbott has been keen to point out that he has already spoken to the Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O'Neill about the offshore processing plan put in place by the former Labor government.

"We will make the most of the arrangement which the former government put in place with PNG," he told Channel 9 this morning.

"I think that is an important element, not the only element, but it's an important element in the range of policies necessary to stop the boats.

"But stop the boats - we will. The people smugglers are on notice. Their game is up. It's all over for them."

The latest boat to arrive was also carrying two foreign journalists - one American, one Dutch - who arrived with valid travel documents and visas.

They were based in Afghanistan for The New York Times and were working on a story about the asylum seeker trade.

Mr Abbott announced Operation Sovereign Borders in July, setting out a military-led response to fight people smuggling, led by a three-star commander.

The response will also establish Operation Relex II - to turn back asylum seeker boats "where it is safe to do so".

PM-elect confident of resolving any issues with Indonesia

Mr Abbott says he is confident of working through any issues with the Indonesian government, despite Jakarta expressing reservations about the plan.

"I know we can work effectively with the Indonesians again because we've done it in the past," he said.

"We have stopped the boats before.

"I don't pretend that it's going to be an easy one because this government, or the government that's just gone, certainly created a terrible situation on our borders, but the solution is now at hand."

Mr Abbott is expected to receive more calls from world leaders and continue discussions with state and territory leaders today.

His frontbench deliberations have been held up by the count in the Victoria seat of Indi, where Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella may lose her seat.

Independent Cathy McGowan is ahead but it could be days before the result is declared.

In Queensland, former Howard government minister Mal Brough appears to be fending off a challenge from Clive Palmer's Palmer United Party candidate in the seat of Fisher.

The billionaire mining magnate himself, however, is almost certain to be elected the new MP for the Queensland seat of Fairfax.

Mr Palmer's party is also likely to have two senators from next July as part of an 18-member crossbench.