Don't expect any decision on compensation for David Bain before the end of the year.

The Prime Minister's told Mike Hosking that Cabinet will very soon consider the next step in the process.

"But it's fair to say the next process is likely to involve government needing to get more advice and I'd have to say on the back of that, you'd be a brave person that said any kind of decision one way or the other would be made anywhere sooner than the back end of this year."