US relations crown jewel in tact: Fischer

The crown jewel in the Australia-US alliance remains in tact after "one of the biggest weeks ever" in relations between the staunch allies, says a former deputy prime minister.

Tim Fischer, who served in the role in the Howard government from 1996 to 1999, said vital work continued at the Pine Gap intelligence gathering site in central Australia.

"Pine Gap ... remains fully operational and politically off limits," Mr Fischer said on Saturday.

Australian ambassadors and embassies were also working to fortify the Australia-US relationship, he said.

"But also helping Australia to take off the rose tinted glasses with the USA."

An uncertain refugee resettlement deal struck between the two nations under the Obama administration has dominated headlines at home and abroad over the past week.

Elsewhere, Mr Fischer took an opportunity to criticise America's firearm laws, arguing that its loosening of background checks for gun buyers "will come back to bite".