May 28, 2024
The Coalition would cancel the visas of international students who participate in the pro-Palestinian protests occurring at universities across the country should it come to government, revealing it would use the Migration Act to boot students "found to be involved in spreading anti-Semitism or supporting terrorism".
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said Labor had failed to combat antiSemitism on campuses, and declared a Coalition government would take drastic action against encampments.
"How much longer will Jewish students have to fear for their safety at university before the Albanese government acts?" Senator Paterson said.
The senator said the ministers for home affairs and immigration in a Coalition government would use section 116 of the Migration Act 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".
He also pointed to section 501 of the act, which he said gave the ministers the power to cancel a visa "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".
With parliament resuming on Tuesday, Labor is refusing to say whether it will support a Greens motion that the parliament recognise Palestine as a sovereign state.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles on Monday said the levels of anti-Semitism he had seen over the past few months were "more than any that I've seen during my lifetime, and it must stop", adding: "It has no place in our country." But highlighting the divisions within the government on the issue, first-term Labor senator Fatima Payman claimed Israel was responsible for beheading babies in the Gazan city of Rafah.
"We must demand an end to this genocide, stop all trade, divest and recognise a Palestinian state," Senator Payman said on social media.
Encampments have been set up at multiple universities across the country over the past month, with students activists at the University of Melbourne claiming victory last Thursday when the university committed to more transparency around its research ties with defence companies.
Protesters at the Australian National University called for similar transparency measures on Monday, when hundreds gathered in response to an order from the ANU that they relocate because of concerns the encampment blocked a fire evacuation route.
Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said the Coalition had no tolerance towards anti-Semitism "or the public support for a terrorist organisation like Hamas", while opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said the Coalition would do "whatever is necessary" to shut down protests should it take power.
"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," she said.
The Greens will this week put forward a motion in parliament calling for recognition of a Palestinian state, with Adam Bandt challenging Labor on Monday to back the initiative.
When asked about whether it would support the Greens motion this week, or if it backed the social media post of Senator Payman calling for trade with Israel to be halted, a government spokeswoman said: "Reports of civilian casualties in Rafah, following a strike by Israel in retaliation for a Hamas rocket attack, are deeply concerning.
"These events only underscore that we must see a humanitarian ceasefire now so that civilians can be protected. Hostages must be released and aid increased," she said.
"The Foreign Minister has been clear about the government's approach to Palestinian recognition." 'How much longer will Jewish students have to fear for their safety at university?' JAMES PATERSON OPPOSITION HOME AFFAIRS SPOKESMAN
