Australia rejects five Tamils asylum claim on security grounds

Melbourne, Jan.13 (ANI): A Tamil couple and three men involved in the impasse with Australian and Indonesian authorities have had their claims for asylum rejected on national security grounds.

A news.com.au report quoted Australia's Immigration Minister Chris Evans as telling ABC Radio "This Government makes no apology for conducting proper security assessments."

Senator Evans said there was no suggestion the four were "hardened terrorists".

Many Tamils have been assessed by ASIO in recent times, with a large number passing their security assessments.

Senator Evans said the Government was looking to find a "durable" solution for the five Tamils who were rejected.

The Opposition's acting immigration spokesman Michael Keenan, however, criticised the Government over its decision to grant a "special deal" to assess the claims of the 78 asylum-seekers on board the Oceanic Viking.

When questioned on what the opposition coalition would have done, Keenan refused to say anything on the matter.

"They're questions you really need to put to the Government. They are the ones that have the information to manage those sorts of situations," he said. (ANI)