Dutton Calls for Temporary Ban on Palestinian Visas

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has called for a temporary ban on granting visas to Palestinians fleeing Gaza, citing national security concerns and the potential risk of admitting individuals with ties to Hamas. His stance has been met with strong opposition from members of the Albanese government, who assert that existing security checks by ASIO are sufficient and unchanged from when the Coalition was in power. Labor MPs, including Josh Burns and Sally Sitou, have shared personal family asylum stories to emphasize the need for compassion and humanity in visa decisions. Independent MP Dai Le, who fled Vietnam as a child, also criticized Dutton's approach, highlighting the potential for unjustly labeling refugees as terrorists. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that no Palestinians would be sent back to Gaza while the conflict continues, and that the government is working on new visa arrangements for recent arrivals.