PM distances himself from Dutton

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has distanced himself from Peter Dutton after the frontbencher said "illiterate and innumerate" refugees were swamping welfare queues and taking Australian jobs.

"We have the most successful multicultural society in the world," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Cairns on Wednesday when quizzed about the immigration minster's remarks.

Mr Turnbull acknowledged resettling refugees came at a cost before adding the federal government "did not begrudge the money".