The Abbott government was consulted and strongly backed the decision of the Papua New Guinea government to shut down a human rights inquiry into the Manus Island detention centre, Fairfax Media has been told.

PNG's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Rimbink Pato, has also confirmed that the two governments would move to deny access of a human rights lawyer to the centre on Monday.

"It's a joint effort": Prime Minister Tony Abbott and PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in Port Moresby. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"It's a joint effort. We're the best judges in terms of what's happening on the ground, but we're in concert because this is a partnership. We're together," he said in an exclusive interview.

He said Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop shared his concern that the inquiry carried dangers and should be challenged. "They were concerned as well that we should do something like this. It's a joint thing."