So they're not coming here after all...

There's been an interesting development in the saga of the Chinese refugee boat people; Stuff reports:

A group of Chinese asylum seekers originally headed for New Zealand, are now believed to have claimed asylum in Australia.

The group, known as the Darwin 10, were brought in Australia's Northern Territory this week when their boat experienced motor problems after setting sail from Malaysia in March.

Several children aged 6-8 were on board the ship that had to be escorted into the port at Darwin after suffering mechanical problems.

The members are part of the Falun Gong group, a Chinese spiritual movement which was outlawed by the ruling Communist party.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard insisted yesterday that the yacht was seaworthy and they had not asked for asylum in Australia.

The group have been given until Saturday to decide whether to stay in Australia and be detained, or push on to New Zealand – a destination they chose apparently because asylum seekers do not face mandatory detention here. 

Ms Gillard's reaction now is going to be fascinating. She seemed pretty keen to see the group on its way to New Zealand, insisting that the boat was seaworthy and that there was no reason why they could be detained.

The irony now is of course that the Chinese refugees WILL be detained, if they proceed with their newly-stated intention to apply for asylum in the Lucky Country. What may have become an issue for John Key's government is now Julia Gillard's problem.