Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has refused to answer questions about he was briefed before Scott Morrison made controversial comments about asylum seekers on bridging visas needing ''behavioural protocols''.

Coalition frontbenchers have been unable to provide details about what these protocols would mean in practice.

Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said he didn't want to criticise immigration spokesman Scott Morrion over comments on asylum seekers and behaviour protocols. Credit:Andrew Meares

The Coalition's immigration spokesman responded to the charging of an asylum seeker over the sexual assault of a student at a Sydney university campus by calling for ''behavioural protocols'' and monitoring of asylum seekers on bridging visas.

Asked whether Mr Morrison had briefed him on the plan, Mr Abbott on Tuesday repeated his claim that asylum seekers were ''disappearing'' into the community.