The federal government and local authorities have rejected Olympic official Kevan Gosper's claims Chinese paramilitary officers will be in Canberra to protect the Olympic torch.
Mr Gosper, International Olympic Committee (IOC) deputy president, said the Chinese flame "protectors" would be called on in the event of "really serious trouble" when the torch passed through Canberra on April 24.
"The security people from China, they call themselves the torch protectors, will be there," Mr Gosper said.
The comments contradicted Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's previous assurances the tracksuited officials would not take part in the Canberra leg of the relay.
Mr Rudd again ruled out allowing Chinese paramilitary officers to be involved in the security arrangements in Canberra.
In a statement he read from ACT Policing, Mr Rudd said in no uncertain terms that the Chinese torch attendants would have absolutely no responsibility for its security.
"The Chinese torch attendants have a practical responsibility in relation to servicing the flame but have no responsibility in terms of security," Mr Rudd said.
"This has been made clear to the Chinese authorities. Under no circumstances, no matter what occurs, will they be called upon to perform a security function."
Earlier in the day, a spokesman for Attorney-General Robert McClelland also rejected Mr Gosper's claims.
"The Australian government, the ACT government, the ACT Police and the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) themselves have repeatedly said our authorities would be in charge of torch security," he said.
"It remains the case that the Chinese torch attendants that accompany the Olympic torch to Canberra will have no security or law enforcement role whatsoever," he said.
Australian Olympic officials also chimed in with the AOC saying local authorities would be responsible for all security arrangements during the Canberra leg of the torch relay.
"Flame attendants will not be responsible at any stage of the torch relay for security of the torch," an AOC spokeswoman said.
Controversy has followed the Olympic torch since its departure from Greece last month, with violent protests in London and Paris and a farcical situation in San Francisco when the route of that leg was changed at the last minute to avoid trouble.
British Olympic official Sebastian Coe has described the torch protectors as thugs and torch runners on overseas legs accused them of treating athletes roughly.
Canberra is the only Australian city to host a torch relay leg.
-abc.net.au
