Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called for an open debate on asylum seekers days before the government is expected to announce a new policy on refugees.

A three-month freeze on the processing of Sri Lankan asylum seekers is due to expire on Thursday.

Ms Gillard would not be drawn on what decision the government would make or if it would apply to refugees more broadly.

However, she said people should be able to speak their mind on the issue, free from political correctness.

"I'd like to sweep away any sense that people should close down any debate, including this debate, through a sense of self-censorship or political correctness," Ms Gillard told reporters while on a tour of bushfire-ravaged Marysville.