Joint media release
Senator James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs
Hon Dan Tehan MP, Shadow Minister for Immigration
Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson, Shadow Minister for Education
A Coalition Government will use provisions of the Migration Act to cancel the visas of any student protestors found to be involved in spreading anti-Semitism or supporting terrorism.
Under section 116 of the Act, the Ministers for Home Affairs and Immigration have significant powers to cancel the visas of any person who is or may be a risk to the health, safety or good order of the Australian community or segment of the Australian community. In addition, section 501 of the Act gives the Ministers the power to do so if visa holders show contempt or disregard for the law or human rights, including terrorist activities and political extremism, and for vilifying a segment of the Australian community or inciting discord in Australia.
“Since October 7 we have seen multiple instances of anti-Semitic rhetoric and sympathy expressed for listed terrorist organisations including Hamas on campus. And yet there is no evidence the Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles have cancelled a single student visa under the significant powers available to them under the Migration Act. How much longer will Jewish students have to fear for their safety at university before the Albanese Government acts?” said Senator James Paterson, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs.
“Australia respects the democratic right to protest and free speech, but we will not tolerate racism, anti-Semitism, or the public support for a terrorist organisation like Hamas that still holds Israeli citizens as hostages and was responsible for grotesque atrocities against the Israeli people,” stated Dan Tehan MP, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.
“Australians are witnessing a failure of leadership from the Albanese Government and some university authorities which have profoundly failed to combat anti-Semitic hate and vilification on campus. In the face of an alarming rise of anti-Semitic protests and encampments, the Coalition will do whatever is necessary to shut down anti-Semitism at educational institutions. Only the Coalition is ready and willing to take the tough action required to combat this tide of anti-Semitic hatred and intimidation in all its forms.” said Senator Sarah Henderson, Shadow Minister for Education.