ABC News Online: Asylum seekers: Malcolm Turnbull downplays concerns Donald Trump may reverse refugee resettlement deal
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has sought to downplay concerns that a one-off refugee resettlement deal with the United States could be cancelled once President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.
The deal for an unspecified number of refugees held in offshore processing centres on Nauru and in Papua New Guinea was announced on Sunday with US officials to begin vetting refugees this week.
Their arrival will come around two months before Mr Trump takes office, but Mr Turnbull would not be drawn on concerns about the incoming administration when asked today.
"We have a very long history of cooperation with the United States," he said.
"The United States has no closer ally, we have no closer ally."
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WNU Editor: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been compared to Donald Trump .... especially on issues like immigration. But first impressions are everything .... and I am sure that this is not going to leave a good impression with the incoming Trump administration .... Australian prime minister did not tell Trump of refugee deal (AP).
