Greens warn Manus Island detention centre closure could mean death

Asylum seekers' lives will be at risk in Papua New Guinea, say the Greens, critical of plans to close the Manus Island immigration centre.

Thousands of Australian have taken to the streets during a protest on March 20, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. Source: AAP

The Turnbull government's planned closure of the Manus Island immigration centre could cost lives, Australian Greens senator Nick McKim says.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has confirmed the progressive closure of the centre ahead of the complete shut down on October 31, with asylum seekers given the option to settle in Papua New Guinea, transfer to a country other than Australia, or return to their country of origin.

"The potential here is that some detainees may die as a result of the announcement ... Papua New Guinea is not a safe place for these detainees," Senator McKim told reporters in Hobart on Tuesday.