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TASMANIA could soon be home to an extra 500 refugees, with Premier Will Hodgman pushing his federal counterparts to bring more displaced people to the state.
However, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has quashed calls to reopen the Pontville Detention Centre to help address the worsening Syrian refugee crisis across Europe and the Middle East.
The state and federal governments are in negotiations to allow more asylum seekers into Tasmania through the Commonwealth's new Safe Haven Enterprise Visa scheme.
Mr Hodgman said he had again stressed the state's willingness to engage with the safe haven program in talks with the Prime Minister this weekend.
Refugees granted safe haven visas would be required to live in Tasmania for at least five years before being eligible for other visas.
"We are keen to not only boost our population but to show a humanitarian approach in dealing with what is a terrible global problem," Mr Hodgman said.
The Premier said funding for adequate support services to accommodate the potential Tasmanian intake was being considered.
"We need to understand what additional burden or cost to the state there would be," Mr Hodgman said.
"It would be something we'd work out in partnership with the federal government.
"Our door's open. We'll just get those details nailed down and hopefully be in a good position to welcome additional people to our state."
Safe haven visa holders would be required to work or study for three and a half years and limit use of social security benefits to less than 18 months.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said accepting 500 more refugees should just be the start of Tasmania's response.
"We welcome the Premier's willingness to consider what Tasmania can do to respond to the refugee crisis in Europe," he said.
Mr Abbott yesterday ruled out reopening Pontville or other unused detention centres.
"We don't want to have a detention centre-led economy, we want to have a business-led economy, we want to have a confidence-led economy," he said.
Mr Abbott also refused to bow to increasing calls for Australia to take more refugees.