A High Court judgment in favour of two Tamil men seeking a review of their refugee claims does not mean offshore processing of asylum seekers is invalid, the federal government says.
The judgement in favour of the Sri Lankans was handed down on Thursday involved Australia's system, which processes asylum seekers on Christmas Island.
"It is important that we recognise this is a significant judgment ... it has significant ramifications," Immigration Minister Chris Bowen told reporters in Sydney.
"It needs to be worked through in a calm and methodical manner."
But Mr Bowen denied the decision brought into question the validity of offshore processing.
"One of the things I've sought advice on is implications for both regional processing and offshore processing," he said.
"The preliminary advice to me is that there is not a significant implication for regional processing, but of course I will be seeking further advice."
But the minister foreshadowed longer waits in detention for asylum seekers requesting reviews of their refugee claims.
"It's a judgment which has the potential to elongate the amount of time it takes to process refugee claims, that's what I mean by significant ramifications," Mr Bowen said.
It further declared it was an error of law for the government's "offshore processing regime" to deny asylum seekers their rights to apply for a protection visa.
Refugee claims will continue to be processed while the government considers the judgment, Mr Bowen said.
Decision only affects appeals: AG
Attorney-General Robert McClelland meanwhile said the ruling would affect refugee appeals rather than the overall regime of offshore processing.
"I understand the decision is not to overturn the offshore processing regime but rather to indicate that there is a level of review," he told Sky News on Thursday.
"Additional review is appropriate in respect to legal matters relating to the decision making process, including potentially
those relating to the issue of procedural fairness."
In a unanimous decision, the High Court found the men were denied legal fairness.
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