Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has offered her thoughts on Australia's asylum seeker debate, saying justice should be tempered by mercy.

Rohingya people from Myanmar have been among groups of asylum seekers coming to Australia by boat.

At a joint media conference with Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra on Thursday afternoon, Ms Suu Kyi was asked whether Australia owes the Rohingya protection.

"If there's rule of law in Australia then you must work within the framework of your law," the democracy icon said.

"But I do believe justice should always be tempered by mercy."

Ms Suu Kyi has been criticised for failing to do more to defend Rohingya Muslims, a minority group that has been targeted by sectarian violence in parts of the predominantly Buddhist nation.

In an interview with ABC's 7.30 program, she called for people to focus on ways to end the violence.

"I've always been worried by the fact that focusing so much on the extremist elements within... those two communities is going to increase hatred and insecurity, and I would like people who are calling on me to speak out to say - call on the Government to establish rule of law," she said.

"If we could put on end to the violence, if we could make sure that there is no further outbreak of violence, we could get those two communities to sort out their differences.

"I have no reason to wish for vengeance, but I can understand that there would be some who find it unforgivable, who find unforgivable what was done to them over the years.

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"But I think we have to look at the larger picture. We can't concentrate on the emotions of those who wish for vengeance.

"We have to find a way out of that syndrome of anger for anger, violence for violence and we have to break out of that and we have to build our country on the vision we have of the future."

'A politician and not an icon'

Myanmar's opposition leader, who who spent 15 years under house arrest before she was freed in 2010, is touring Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne from November 27 to December 2.

Her long imprisonment and unwavering commitment to peace has resulted in her becoming a revered figure in the west, synonymous with democratic struggle, and she has received a rapturous welcome during her time in Australia.

In their joint press conference Mr Abbott described her as an icon for democracy, saying it was a great honour to meet her.

"I was an opposition leader myself for four years; I know that that position has some exhilarations and some frustrations," he said.

"Let's hope as time goes by the exhilarations are greater and the frustrations are lesser."

However Ms Suu Kyi, at an address to the Lowy Institute, earlier revealed she does not like the term 'democracy icon'.

"I look upon myself as a politician and not as an icon," she said.

"I always object to the word 'icon' ... it just sort of hangs on the wall, and I work very hard ... so I do object to being referred to as an icon, it seems to indicate that I do nothing except let myself be shown."

She says she has had to make difficult choices in her fight for democratic change in Myanmar, but she would not call them sacrifices.

"I chose the path I wanted to walk and I have no right to complain about it," she said.

"I am satisfied. I had the right and the opportunity to choose the path I wanted to walk and not everyone has that opportunity and I consider myself fortunate."

Ms Suu Kyi is using her first visit to Australia to highlight the fight against HIV AIDS and Myanmar's path to democracy, as well as to appeal for Australia's support in her bid for the presidency.

A clause in the constitution disqualifies her from becoming president, but she says she is confident constitutional obstacles will be removed so she can run for office in 2015.

Continuing her focus on the rule of law, she declared national unity would be her priority if she were elected president.

"When we contested the bi-elections last year the three main planks of our election platform were rule of law, internal peace ... and thirdly amendments to the constitution," she said.

She says the rule of law is essential to creating a lasting peace in the ethnic conflicts that divide the country.