The Department of Immigration and Citizenship today rejected claims it was delaying processing of a visa application for Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson.

Mr Watson has applied for a visa to visit Australia to undertake a range of public speaking and media activities associated with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

“Our standard procedure is to follow-up certain matters disclosed to the department in a visa application, and that’s what is occurring,” a spokesman said.

“Though Mr Watson may have previously visited Australia as a tourist, the visa required for that type of visit is quite different to that for a short-term business visit, which is what is required for his forthcoming trip.

“This is a matter being handled by the department in a manner no different to the standard procedures in place for the processing of millions of visa applications each year.

“We expect to be making a decision on Mr Watson’s visa application in the coming days,” the spokesman added.