One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for a halt to migration from countries designated as 'do not travel' by Australia's Smartraveller advisory service. Hanson stated on Saturday via social media that if the government warns Australians against traveling to a nation due to extreme security and terrorism risks, it should not continue accepting migration from that country on a business-as-usual basis.
"We can no longer ignore the real security risks presented to Australians from regions hostile to our interests and way of life," Hanson said. "I'm not interested in importing the world's problems at the expense of Australia's security."
Hanson claimed that Australians have "no faith" in the current Labor government to conduct thorough security checks on new arrivals, citing concerns about returning foreign terrorist fighters. She asserted that any future refugee or humanitarian visa applications from these high-risk countries should only be considered if the government and security agencies can provide "absolute assurance" that the applicant's identity has been verified and they pose no security risk.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen dismissed Hanson's proposal, comparing it to policies enacted by former US President Donald Trump. "Australia needs an Australian immigration policy, not one stolen from Donald Trump," Bowen stated. He argued that some countries on the 'do not travel' list, such as Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan, have provided Australia with valuable migrants who have contributed to the community after fleeing conflict.
Bowen challenged Hanson to explain why she would exclude individuals from Australia, including Assyrians and Yazidis who had escaped ISIS, and members of Australia's Lebanese community. "We need better than just carbon-copying Donald Trump's policy... She's wrong, wrong, wrong," Bowen added.
The 'do not travel' advisory is the highest warning issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), advising individuals to avoid these locations due to extreme risks to their lives and safety. Currently, Afghanistan, Iran, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, North Korea, and Syria are on this list. Many of these nations are also subject to travel restrictions implemented by the United States under the Trump administration, which aimed to halt perceived abuses of the US immigration system.
This proposal emerges as Australia's government considers broader immigration reforms. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was scheduled to announce significant changes aimed at reducing migration but postponed his address to the National Press Club, as the details were still being finalized. Reports suggest these reforms could include stricter family visa rules, caps on backpacker numbers, and limitations on asylum seekers' work and appeal rights.
Meanwhile, the opposition Coalition has also put forth its plan to reduce net overseas migration to under 180,000 annually. Shadow housing minister Andrew Bragg announced the proposal, suggesting it is a manageable reduction achievable through prioritizing skilled migrant workers tied to industry needs and decreasing numbers in other visa streams such as family, international students, and temporary migrants. The Coalition also pledged to streamline the National Construction Code.