as posted here

ASIO knew Tamil asylum seekers were a threat to national security before they were transferred to Christmas Island

Tuesday, January 12th 2010, 12:57 pm UTC

AUSTRALIA knew that ASIO had determined four Tamil asylum seekers from the Oceanic Viking were a threat to national security before they were transported to Christmas Island.

And Immigration Minister Chris Evans has today revealed the decision to bring them to an Australian-run detention centre anyway was largely as a result to honour an agreement with Indonesia to “manage the caseload.”

Senator Evans has today confirmed there was a fifth Tamil being held by Immigration in the Australian detention who failed the security assessment test.

The revelation follows The Australian’s exclusive report today that four of the Tamil asylum seekers rescued by the Oceanic Viking were a threat to national security.

“We thought given the timeframes agreed with the Indonesian government that it was best that we took them to Christmas Island and detain them and work on resolving their cases in the longer term there,” Senator Evans said.

Asked if it was the “special deal” that forced Australia to take the five Tamils who were a threat to national security, Senator Evans said it was not.

“No there was an agreement with the Indonesian government about managing that case load,” he said.

“When these people were found to be of security concern we determined to take them to Christmas Island, detain them there and work with the UNHCR on long term resolution of their cases.”

Senator Evans said it had been clear for some time that because many Tamil Tiger operatives had fled the country it was likely the possibility that people who may be of interest to security agencies could be among the asylum seekers.

The five Tamils have been declared refugees and as a result cannot be returned to Sri Lanka but because they have failed the security test they will be refused entry to Australia.

Australia will now work with the United Nations High Commission to resettle them elsewhere, with Senator Evans confirmed it was a particularly complex case.

“There is an additional person… who was found by our security agencies to have not met the public interest criteria. It is the case that this man is the spouse of the mother of the two children who was on board the Oceanic Viking,” Senator Evans said.

Senator Evans said the family would be held “appropriately” on Christmas Island and the children would not be held behind razor wire but they will remain in detention.

as posted here