Australia's PM-elect Tony Abbott says his top priorities in office are to scrap the carbon tax and to stop asylum-seekers arriving by boat.

The main election issues were how to tackle an expected economic slowdown, whether to keep the Labor-introduced carbon tax, and how to reduce the number of migrants arriving from Asia by boat.

"Scrapping the carbon tax and stopping the boats are the two most urgent priorities," Mr Abbott said.

"Obviously, we will swiftly implement Operation Sovereign Borders and one component is a much more active programme of intercepting vessels and where possible turning them around - rather than escorting them to Christmas Island."(BBC)