Fed: Aussie lawyers sent home from Nauru hearing

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2004
Fed: Aussie lawyers sent home from Nauru hearing

The Nauru government has ordered home all Australian lawyers taking part in a court
hearing to determine the legality of keeping asylum seekers on the island.

Government spokeswoman HELEN BOGDAN says the Pacific nation's justice minister, RUSSELL
KUN, has ordered the Australian lawyers to leave.

The hearing, which has just begun, will challenge the validity of visas issued by the
Nauru government to asylum seekers sent to the island by Australia.

On Monday, the detainees' team, led by Melbourne lawyer JULIAN BURNSIDE, QC, was barred
from attending, with Nauru revoking their visas.

Until now, Australian QCs and senior counsel were engaged to represent the Australian
and Nauruan governments at the Nauru Supreme Court.

But Ms BOGDAN says Mr KUN has decided the hearing can be handled by Nauruans.

She says Nauru's acting secretary for justice, LIONEL AINGIMEA, will represent the
Naurun government, while Mr KUN's uncle will represent the detainees.

AAP RTV jrd/gfr/lma/rp

KEYWORD: NAURU ORDER (MELBOURNE)

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