A group of Chinese nationals, thought to be on their way to New Zealand, ought to be given every opportunity to seek asylum in Australia, the Greens say.
The group of 10 Chinese nationals reportedly left Malaysia on a yacht in March aiming to seek asylum in NZ. They were picked up in Australian waters when they put out a distress call several days ago.
Immigration department officials met some of the group in Darwin while they refuelled and restocked to continue their journey.
But South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the group should be allowed to seek refuge in Australia. "It is absolutely important that the Australian authorities give them every opportunity possible to apply for asylum here," the senator told reporters on Tuesday.
"They have a right to seek asylum here in Australia and their safety and security must be absolute paramount to what happens next." But Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the federal government was not in a position to keep the group in Australia.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"They have not asked for asylum in Australia and they are on a seaworthy vessel," Ms Gillard told ABC Radio. "So we are not in a position where we could detain them against their will."
A spokesman for NZ Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said Australian authorities had notified his department about the group after it made a call for assistance.
NZ authorities were extremely concerned about the safety risk to those on board the vessel if they attempted to continue the "very hazardous" voyage.
The Chinese nationals are believed to be practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual movement leaving China because of persecution. It is not known when the vessel will depart Darwin for New Zealand.
