Last Thursday, less than one week since drafting the bill, the Albanese Government hurriedly passed new laws that give the Minister for Home Affairs the power to prevent people already holding temporary visas from entering Australia. These new laws give the Government unprecedented power to stop people fleeing war, including from Iran and Lebanon, from seeking safety in Australia. This is despite temporary visas having been already approved.
Under the new legislation, the Home Affairs Minister is able to grant an “arrival control determination” to revoke previously approved visas of people from certain countries. These effective entry bans can last up to 6 months and can be repeatedly renewed indefinitely without accountability to the Parliament.
As a result, the new legislation may immediately affect up to 61,000 people in the ‘Middle East’ region who hold valid visas to travel to Australia or may already be in transit to Australia. The Department of Home Affairs has already confirmed that 7,200 Iranian people are likely to have their visas rescinded under the new laws. At home, this will have a flow-on effect to the hundreds of people from Iran and other countries who sought asylum in Australia years ago yet still face gruelling uncertainty on short term temporary visas. The new laws severely add to the strain of seeking asylum for oneself and family in Australia, and to worries for loved ones back home.
Once again, the Australian Government is falling short of respecting and promoting human rights in the international community. CARAD continues to stand with those seeking humanitarian protection in Western Australia and advocates for their safety and wellbeing.