2026-03-12
Today the War Parties, Labor, One Nation and the Liberals voted together to pass a Bill that will slam the door on Iranians fleeing a war they have cheered on.
Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No 1) Bill 2026 gives the Minister of Home Affairs the power to block people with valid temporary visa from travelling to Australia.
The Government has made clear that it plans to immediately use this law against 7,200 current visa holders from Iran. The Albanese Government does not want people fleeing Labor’s, Trump’s and Netanyahu’s illegal war from seeking safety here in Australia.
This power can be used to block people from any country from entering Australia. As war and instability spreads across the Middle East, this law could be used on over 61,000 people in the region. This includes not only 7,200 from Iran, but 1,150 from Lebanon, 157 from Palestine, 207 from Syria and more around the region.
Senator Larissa Waters, Australian Greens Leader said: "This Iranian visa ban is a new low from a Labor government who keep showing themselves to be morally bankrupt on refugee rights.
"It's extremely cynical how Minister Burke has painted himself as a hero for providing asylum for a handful of women who have distinguished themselves on the soccer field, while shutting the door on thousands more.
"In all my time in Parliament, it's a new low for Labor to simultaneously champion themselves as humanitarians, while shutting the door on thousands of needy people. I don't know how you can live with yourselves."
Senator David Shoebridge Greens Spokesperson on Immigration: “This is Labor again leading the way on cruelty towards migrants and refugees. One Nation and the Liberals back Albanese in, but it is Labor that leads the pack of war parties. They send our military into an illegal war, then slam the door on those fleeing it.
“This Bill will stop grandparents from seeing their grandkids, stop students from getting an education, stop people from bringing their skills and talent into businesses and the community. All because Labor wants to out-cruel One Nation and the Coalition on immigration and refugees.
“Labor keeps saying this war was about protecting the Iranian people from a brutal regime. We can see today what Labor really thinks of the Iranian people, they have just told them to stay in Iran in danger and fear.”