Scott Morrison reportedly planned to spend billions on new mass detention centres in Australia

Scott Morrison reportedly once proposed a $9 billion dollar plan to build new mass detention centres for asylum seekers in Australia.

Scott Morrison is facing questions after reports emerged that he proposed as immigration minister to build new mass detention facilities for asylum seekers in Australia on bridging visas.

Nine Newspapers reports the Prime Minister pitched the plan ahead of the 2014 budget but it was shot down by then-Treasurer Joe Hockey and ultimately then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison reportedly proposed to build new mass detention facilities for asylum seekers in Australia. Picture: AAP

Mr Morrison reportedly asked the government’s expenditure review committee for $9 billion to $10 billion to fund the facilities over four years.

Nine reports multiple former and current ministers as well as officials have confirmed that Mr Morrison pitched the plan.

It never went to a full cabinet meeting but was the subject of initial talks.

A source at a meeting where it was discussed told Nine Mr Hockey “hit the roof” over the proposal and it was vetoed by Mr Abbott.

Joe Hockey shut the plan down, according to reports. Picture: Supplied

A spokesman for Mr Morrison told the publication he had no recollection of the proposal.

News Corp has contacted the Prime Minister’s office for comment.

Tony Abbott reportedly vetoed the proposal. Picture: John Appleyard

Sources familiar with the proposal reportedly told Nine there were about 30,000 asylum seekers in Australia on bridging visas at the time that could have been subject to detention, but not all would be detained at once.

The proposal came as the government was attempting to reintroduce temporary protection visas after they were ended by Labor.

Originally published as Scott Morrison reportedly planned to spend billions on new mass detention centres in Australia