Residency in Oz for asylum-seekers

SYDNEY - All of the 42 asylum-seekers who survived when a boat exploded near Ashmore Reef in April will be granted permanent residency in Australia.

The 42 Afghan men from the boat that was set alight on April 16 will be released into the community this week, ahead of a coronial inquest into the cause of the blaze that killed five of their fellow passengers, The Australian says.

Police believe the fire was deliberately lit by one or more of the asylum-seekers, but do not have enough evidence to lay any charges.

An inquest in January is expected to find out more about what happened.

The Australian says it understands that if any of the asylum-seekers are convicted of serious charges as a result of the inquest, Immigration Minister Chris Evans is prepared to cancel their visas and deport them.

When the men are granted their permanent protection visas this week, the total number of asylum-seekers to be granted protection visas since a run of boats that began last September will reach 687.

The men from the boat that exploded are being detained in Perth and Brisbane, not on Christmas Island, because of their special medical needs.

- AAP