Update: Australia 'will listen to Obama's Gitmo pleas'

We will listen to Obama's Gitmo pleas

THE Rudd Government would still be open to overtures from the incoming Obama administration to reconsider its refusal to take inmates from Guantanamo Bay.

After formally rebuffing for the second time the Bush administration on taking former terror suspects being held at Guantanamo, Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Australia would consider subsequent requests from the US as it tries to close the notorious island prison.

But Ms Gillard played down the prospect of accepting any former prisoners.

"We will consider any future requests on a case by case basis against these stringent criteria for both national security and immigration," she said. 

Despite the latest rejection, there were no hard feelings from Washington - at least for now. 

Australia has formally rejected a US request to take in detainees from the Guantanamo Bay military jail.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the decision was based on "stringent national security and immigration considerations."

It is the second time in a year that Australia has rejected such a request.

Washington has expressed concern that some inmates released from Guantanamo could be tortured or persecuted if they were returned to their home countries.

US President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to shut the camp in Cuba once he takes office in January.

Some 255 inmates as still being held at Guantanamo, including about 60 Washington no longer considers a threat and has cleared for release.