Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and his opposition counterpart Scott Morrison are due to sit down early this week to work out the details.

Federal Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said the government was assessing the High Court’s decision concerning a Sri Lankan asylum seeker, known as M47, but acknowledged the act could need a tweak. “It could mean legislative change in the end,” she told the ABC yesterday.

“I just think we need to get their full advice about the impact of the case. But I note the Coalition, in this instance, has already come out and said they want to work with us.”

M47 will have his visa application reassessed after the court ruled the minister should not be automatically banned from granting visas to asylum seekers who’ve been given adverse assessments by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

The decision is likely to impact on another 50 or so asylum seekers, mostly Sri Lankans, who are in detention and have been given a black mark by ASIO.

Shadow attorney-general Senator George Brandis believes public safety is at risk.

Mr Brandis said he was concerned the court’s decision left the government with no power to keep such asylum seekers out of the community, although Ms Roxon insists there is no danger.

“The court made clear that it’s appropriate for this particular person … to be kept in detention while the minister remakes his decision,” Ms Roxon said.