Australia’s opposition leader urges visa halt for Palestinians

Australia’s opposition leader, Peter Dutton of the Liberal Party, has toughened the Coalition’s position on admitting Palestinians fleeing the Gaza conflict, stating that none should be allowed into Australia “at the moment” due to unspecified “national security risks.”

His comments on Wednesday stand in stark contrast to the assessment by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) Chief Mike Burgess, who recently stated that rhetorical support for Hamas should not automatically disqualify Palestinians from receiving visas.

Government rebuffs Dutton’s claims

Senior figures within the Anthony Albanese government swiftly rejected Dutton’s assertions.

They emphasized that the security checks for visa applicants from Gaza are identical to those used during the Coalition’s tenure.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded by accusing Dutton of perpetually seeking division, stating, “We take our advice from the director general of Asio and the security agencies, not from someone always looking for a fight, always looking for division.”

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten further criticized Dutton, suggesting that his comments conflate the entire population of Gaza with support for Hamas. “We currently have a process where Asio vets people, where we have national security checking,” Shorten said, reminding Dutton that the same procedures were in place under his own leadership.

Coalition’s call for pause on humanitarian visas

On Tuesday, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs & Cyber Security James Paterson urged the government to ensure that no supporters of Hamas or any other terrorist organization be allowed into Australia.

He also suggested canceling visas for those who might already be in the country. By Wednesday, Dutton had taken a firmer stance, telling Sky News that allowing anyone from the Gaza conflict zone into Australia is “not prudent” and poses a “national security risk.”

Shadow Attorney General Michaelia Cash later clarified that the Coalition’s position is to pause all humanitarian visas for those fleeing Gaza until “peace is restored.”

She defended Dutton’s position, saying, “You don’t have to like him, but he will always stand up for Australia, Australians and put the national interest first.”

Australian government’s humanitarian stance

The Albanese government, on the other hand, is exploring ways to extend the stay of Palestinians who have already fled to Australia.

New Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke declared that no country should force people back to Gaza given the current situation. Education Minister Jason Clare echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and challenging Dutton to visit his electorate in southwest Sydney to meet Gaza residents who have lost their homes, schools, and even loved ones.

Clare also called on Israel to end what he termed the “occupation” and “starvation” of Gaza, underscoring the growing frustration within the Labor Party regarding Israel’s actions. The Minister for Industry Ed Husic has even suggested that Australia should consider sanctions against Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for their role in the conflict.