But by taking her asylum claim to the media, Ms Zwambila could have made her application subject to tougher scrutiny should it be considered a ''sur place'' claim, manufactured by her own public comments against President Robert Mugabe.

Ms Zwambila, a supporter of Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), lashed out at Mr Mugabe's regime and requested asylum in Australia just four days before she was due to be recalled to Zimbabwe. She said she feared for her safety should she return home.

Australian National University academic Susan Harris Rimmer said Ms Zwambila's application was unusual given her decision to make it so public - which could work both in her favour in strengthening the possibility of persecution, but also against her in the consideration of her claim.

''The argument would be that it was her choice to go to The Canberra Times and say inflammatory things and therefore the decision maker should be taking that into account,'' Dr Harris Rimmer said.

However, Dr Harris Rimmer said any asylum claim should be assessed on its own merits, based on fact, and, thanks to refugee conventions, should not affect Australia's political relationship with Zimbabwe.

There was precedent in similar high-profile political asylum cases where granting refugee status even worked in Australia's favour after political changes took their course. Dr Harris Rimmer said the decision to grant asylum to Michelle Bachelet, who has just been re-elected President of Chile, and East-Timorese leader Jose Ramos-Horta, both aided better diplomatic relationships in the long run.

''It could come definitely in Australia's favour one day when the tides have changed to help these particularly powerful people,'' Dr Harris Rimmer said.

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer agreed that Australia had little to lose by offering asylum to Ms Zwambila.

He told ABC radio on Monday that a lack of economic ties between Australia and Zimbabwe meant that the Mugabe government could do nothing but complain.

''To be frank, there’s not much the Zimbabwe government can do about it,'' Mr Downer said.

''Through simply appalling economic policies (they) have isolated themselves very much from the international community.

''They can hardly punish Australia by threatening Australian investments in Zimbabwe because most Australian investments in Zimbabwe have been either confiscated, withdrawn or nationalised.''

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday that any application for asylum would be considered on its merits.

Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles said that he agreed with Mr Morrison’s stance.

Mr Downer said the government’s position was probably the correct one.

''If she's made an application for a protection visa, I think it would be appropriate to handle it in the normal way - which I think the government is doing.''

On Sunday Zimbabwe's main opposition party voiced concerns about Ms Zwambila, who was recalled after Mr Mugabe's controversial election win in July.

''No one would raise a red flag unnecessarily and as a party we remain cautious and concerned after Ms Zwambila expressed concern over her personal safety,'' MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told AFP.

''What we know for sure is that relations between her and the government were frosty and it's difficult for us to assure her security as we are not in government.''

The party said the government had decided to recall MDC-aligned ambassadors without reassigning them. But a statement sent to Bloomberg said Ms Zwambila's application was ''personal'' and based on her experiences while serving as ambassador.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop would not comment on whether or not the Australian government had been contacted by the Zimbabwean government following Ms Zwambila's request for asylum, but said Australia ''remained concerned'' about allegations of election fraud by Mr Mugabe.

with AFP, Bloomberg, AAP