August 14th 2024.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton is standing firm on his stance to restrict any refugees fleeing the conflict in Gaza from entering Australia. In an interview with Today, he confirmed that this decision was made after consulting with his "national security team", which comprises of Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie and Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson.
This announcement goes beyond the previous call made by the Coalition to impose stricter screening on Palestinian refugees, and it was not discussed with the shadow cabinet. Dutton acknowledged that these are tough decisions, but they are necessary for the best interests of the country. He also criticized the current government for being lenient on security measures, claiming that not all applicants undergo face-to-face interviews before being granted visitor visas.
According to Senate Estimates from May, Australia has granted over 2600 visas to Palestinians and rejected 4600 more since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Out of these, only 1300 have actually arrived and remain in Australia. Dutton expressed concern over the possibility of sympathizers of a listed terrorist organization, like Hamas, being allowed into the country.
He compared this scenario to the idea of bringing in sympathizers of other terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda or ISIL, which is completely unacceptable. Dutton emphasized that even if 99% of the refugees are good, having just 1% of questionable individuals could pose a threat to the country.
While ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess has stated that expressing "rhetorical" sympathy for Hamas would not automatically disqualify someone from entering Australia, Dutton believes that this should still be a factor in the screening process. The government claims that their protocols for checking visa applications against ASIO's databases are the same as those implemented during Dutton's time as Home Affairs Minister.
However, Dutton argues that the decision to grant visitor visas to individuals from a war-torn region without face-to-face interviews is unprecedented and ASIO should not be held responsible for the government's shortcomings. He believes that the most sensible course of action would be to stop people from entering Australia from a war zone, as there is no guarantee that proper checks have been conducted.
The number of visas granted to Palestinians fleeing Gaza is significantly lower compared to those granted to Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion, with over 11,500 visas issued and 11,400 individuals arriving in Australia, according to the Department of Home Affairs. The current conflict in Gaza was sparked by the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1200 Israelis and numerous hostages being taken.
The Israeli military's response to these attacks has been heavily criticized by the international community and has led to the deaths of around 40,000 people, according to health authorities in Gaza. To stay updated on all the latest breaking news, celebrity updates, and sports news, be sure to follow us on WhatsApp. Our channel ensures your privacy and avoids algorithms and unwanted comments.
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