Windsor says jury out on refugee swap plan

Independent MP Tony Windsor says time will tell whether the federal government's refugee swap plan with Malaysia will help solve the problem of asylum seekers.

Under the plan Australia will transfer 800 boat people for processing in exchange for taking 4000 declared refugees from Malaysia.

Mr Windsor, whose support Labor relies on to remain in power, said like most Australians he did not have the solution to the problem of asylum seekers arriving by boat.

"I have always argued that the United Nations should do more in terms of source," he told ABC Radio on Monday.

"Maybe this is the start of some sort of regional context. The jury's out."

Mr Windsor said he would seek more detail from the government.

How quickly asylum claims were processed was an issue that needed to be addressed, he said.

"Whether that can be done with this Malaysia arrangement, time will tell."