Melbourne: Australian government is all set to examine the "secret" evidence that led to the cancelling of visa of Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef, who was wrongly accused of involvement in the failed UK terror plot.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland outlined the terms of reference for the Haneef inquiry, to be chaired by former Supreme Court judge John Clarke QC, which was announced yesterday.

McClelland said it would examine the arrest, detention, charging, prosecution and release of Haneef.

Clarke will also examine the decision by Andrews to cancel Haneef's visa hours after he was granted bail by a Brisbane magistrate, a move that saw Haneef placed in immigration detention.

Andrews, yesterday justified his decision based on secret evidence supplied to his department by the AFP.

McClelland said that information would be submitted to Clarke. "The Department of Immigration has indicated that it will fully co-operate with the inquiry, which we would expect to include making all necessary available files available to Clarke," he said.

Haneef will also be invited to give evidence and if needed Clarke said he may travel to India to take Haneef's statement should he be unwilling to return to Australia.

Keelty who faced intense criticism following the AFP's mishandling of several terrorism cases, yesterday welcomed the inquiry.

"I stand by the role of the AFP and state police as part of the joint counter-terrorism teams, as well as our international police partners during this investigation," he said.

Source : PTI