Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has downplayed fresh negotiations to resettle asylum seekers living in Manus Island and Nauru.

Key points: Fairfax reports officials are talking to Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines

Fairfax reports officials are talking to Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines Julie Bishop says it is "early days" for discussions

Julie Bishop says it is "early days" for discussions Labor urges Government to speed up talks

According to Fairfax Media, officials have recommenced discussions with Malaysia, Indonesia and The Philippines.

It follows a number of failed attempts under previous Labor and Coalition governments.

Ms Bishop has indicated more time will be needed to strike a deal.

In a statement, she said it was "early days" for most of the discussions, and that the countries involved might also have to consider internal factors before coming to an agreement.

"Some of them have domestic issues, like elections," Ms Bishop said, without confirming the countries Australia is in discussions with.

Federal Industry Minister Christopher Pyne has also downplayed the reports, but stressed the Government remained committed to its border protection policies.

"It's a very speculative story, but I guess it leads me to say that at least we are in a position now where we have strong, secure borders," Mr Pyne told Sky.

"Labor is essentially supporting that policy, and we've got the number of children in detention down to less than 80, it was 2,000 when you [Labor] were in government."

Philippines President Benigno Aquino last year warned his country did not have the "capacity" to offer permanent residency.

Malaysia, meanwhile, struck a deal with the former Gillard government before it was blocked by the High Court in 2011.

The reports on negotiations followed comments by the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, downplaying the chances of sending any asylum seekers to New Zealand, under an agreement struck by the former Gillard government.

The New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said it was "potentially possible" to take in a group of asylum seekers who were due to be sent to Nauru, but Mr Turnbull said it would be unlikely to happen.

The Federal Opposition has urged the Government to speed up talks to resettle asylum seekers.

Labor's immigration spokesman Richard Marles told Sky the Government's approach to border protection has left it isolated in the global community.

"The Government needs to swallow its pride, go to Geneva, make peace, stop cutting funding to the UNHCR and actually engage with the global community," he said.

"If it does that, the Government might actually find that there are some countries willing to help and we can get some resettlement going."