The Labor Party is tightening immigration laws to stop people from some countries traveling to Australia on some temporary visas and seeking to stay permanently because of the war in the Middle East.
Deputy Citizenship Minister Julian Hill introduced urgent amendments on Tuesday, hours after Home Secretary Tony Burke facilitated asylum claims by members of the Iranian women’s football team.
Under the proposal, Burke could issue an “arrival control determination” to prevent temporary visa holders from certain regions from visiting Australia where global circumstances change to “protect the integrity and sustainability of Australia’s immigration system”.
The law, if passed, could be used to prevent Iranian tourists from traveling to Australia if their visa was issued before the United States and Israel attacked Tehran, and where there are concerns that they may overstay their visa or apply for protection while in Australia.
The bill itself does not specifically name a country, but a briefing document distributed to parliamentarians and senators refers to the situation in the Middle East.
Sign Up: AU Breaking News Email
The Labor Party has described the changes as closing loopholes in current immigration laws and says guardrails will be included in the new rules.
The Home Secretary would have new powers to make an “arrival control determination” only after written agreement from the Prime Minister and the minister in charge of immigration.
On Tuesday, Hill said: “At any one time, there are many temporary visa holders outside Australia who have a temporary right of entry to Australia, granted to support travel for a genuinely temporary purpose, such as a holiday or attending a conference.”
“The current situation in the Middle East demonstrates how quickly circumstances can change which can affect whether temporary visa holders would be able to serve that temporary purpose in Australia, even if they would leave Australia. Should they travel here?”
“In these circumstances, it is vital that the government is able to respond appropriately, including by imposing temporary limitations on the ability of certain groups and non-citizens to travel to Australia without legislative changes.”
Shadow Foreign Secretary Ted O’Brien told parliament the Coalition supported the bill in principle.
Ahead of a Senate inquiry Tuesday night, O’Brien said he saw “no major obstacles” to passing the new law.
“This bill contains reasonable measures to strengthen the integrity of Australia’s immigration system,” he said.
“These powers are designed to protect the integrity and sustainability of Australia’s immigration system, particularly where international events increase visa risk during stays.”
Independent member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said he wanted his objection to the bill to be recorded in Hansard.
Independent MP Zali Steggall said the bill did not contain sufficient safeguards.
“This completely undermines our visa system and is racist,” he said.
“It is clearly targeted at one group, but could be abused by any subsequent government to attack any other group.”
Burke confirmed five asylum claims from members of the Iranian women’s soccer team early Tuesday morning.
Burke said the visas were granted around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, around the time of Trump’s social media posts, which first criticized and then praised Australia.
“They are welcome to stay in Australia,” Burke said at a morning news conference in Brisbane. “They are safe here and should feel at home.
“I tell the other members of the team: we have the same opportunity. Australia has welcomed the Iranian women’s football team into our hearts.
“These women are tremendously popular in Australia, but we realize they are in a terribly difficult situation with the decisions they are making. But the opportunity will still be there to speak to Australian officials if they wish.”
