The Manus Island MP Ronny Knight says Australia's deal with the US to resettle refugees needs to happen soon as bad feelings towards the refugees could blow up anytime.
The Manus Island detention centre. Photo: Behrouz Boochani
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull revealed the deal was still on the table after a phone call with President Donald Trump on Sunday.
Mr Knight said he was still not reassured it would go through but he warns it needs to happen quickly given an unresolved alleged rape case involving Australian contractors at the asylum seeker processing centre on Manus.
"It's a powder keg at the moment and very bad feelings towards the refugees from the family of the rape victim. There's several issues there not only with the asylum seekers and we just want the situation home and hosed and done."
The Manus Island detention centre. Photo: Behrouz Boochani
Mr Knight said questions remained about how many of the 900 asylum seekers on Manus will be taken by the US.