Story highlights Australia Prime Minister refuses to comment on the claims, but says his country turns around "illegal boats"

U.N. refugee agency says it learned of payments from passengers on one boat

(CNN) Australian authorities paid smugglers to turn back a boat transporting migrants attempting to reach that nation, the United Nations refugee agency said Friday, citing people on the ship.

The boat -- carrying 65 migrants from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar -- was intercepted by the Indonesian navy after turning back on May 31, the UNHCR said.

The migrants were transferred to an Indonesian customs vessel for four days before being sent on two boats to Indonesia, the UNHCR added, after speaking to some of the passengers.

Australia did not deny the payment and Prime Minister Tony Abbott went on the defensive Friday when asked about the claim. Abbott refused to "comment on operational matters."

Abbott said in an interview with Radio 3AW that Australia is "determined to ensure that illegal boats don't get to Australia. We will do whatever is reasonably necessary to protect our country from people smuggling and from the effects of this evil and damaging trade that costs lives."

Read More