Dubai: Two Saudi male journalists, who say authorities revealed their romantic relationship in retaliation for contacts one had with foreign media, have been detained in Australia after seeking asylum last month, their lawyer says.

One of the men, who previously worked with CNN, the BBC and the Saudi media ministry, said by phone from detention in Australia that Saudi state security outed them as gay to the other man's family in September.

Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.

Homosexuality is forbidden in Saudi Arabia. Credit:AP

The journalist and his lawyer, Alison Battisson, say that the two men cleared passport control on valid tourist visas when they arrived in Australia more than a month ago.