- The PM was grilled by the Coalition during Question Time
- Refused to say how many Palestinian visas have been revoked
Anthony Albanese has refused to say whether any of the 2900 visas given to Palestinian refugees have been cancelled after he came under fire for fast tracking the process.
The Prime Minister was blasted during Question Time on Tuesday over his government’s decision to grant thousands of tourist visas to those fleeing war-torn Gaza since the Hamas attacks on October 7.
It comes after opposition leader Peter Dutton last week made a call to ban Gazans from entering Australia over fears they might support the Palestinian terrorist group.
According to The Australian, 43 visas were revoked and 20 of those were restored on appeal.
Dan Tehan, the opposition’s immigration spokesperson, fired off the same question repeatedly, asking: ‘How many of the 2,900 visas from Gaza have been cancelled?’
But Mr Albanese continually dodged the question, instead insisting Labor was guided by security agencies.
He also said a number of visas have been given to refugees fleeing conflict in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan over the years, despite the fact that those nations have also been controlled by terrorist groups.
Anthony Albanese is pictured during Question Time on Tuesday, during his grilling over visas
Dan Tehan (pictured on Tuesday) fired questions at the PM over whether visas had been revoked
‘We’re being guided every step of the way by our security agencies,’ insisted the PM.
‘What our agencies do is to constantly examine issues. That doesn’t stop when someone is granted a visa.
‘When it comes to the granting of a visa, they’re granted in the same way [as under the Coalition government].
‘Our security agencies are involved, the same security standards.’
Labor has approved 2922 visas to Palestinians fleeing the war, including more than 2500 tourist visas.
Many lodged claims for asylum which means they will be able to stay in Australia until there is a decision on their application.
The Coaltion focused on visitor visas which they said were of particular concern because they do not require the same security checks as those for asylum seekers fleeing other war-torn nations.