August 21, 2024
Australia's much larger intake of people from Gaza, compared to allies like the US and UK, has fuelled security concerns about their visa process, as it is revealed the cost of granting Palestinians the right to stay in Australia could be $300 million.
In a bitter political dispute over the federal government's decision to grant almost 3000 visitor visas to Palestinians, Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said those who did get here had "no intention of returning".
If all of the current visitor visa holders from Gaza applied to stay permanently, it would cost taxpayers up to $300 million over four years.
Gaza visas could cost us $300m Clare Armstrong and Jade Gailberger Australia's much larger intake of people from Gaza, compared to allies like the US and UK, has fuelled security concerns about their visa process.
In a bitter political dispute over the federal government's decision to grant almost 3000 visitor visas to Palestinians, PM Anthony Albanese on Tuesday accused Peter Dutton of being "obsessed with trying to appear tough".
But the Opposition Leader fired back implying the Prime Minister was "selling out" Australia's national security to win multicultural seats at the next election. As Labor refused to explain why 43 visitor visas granted to Palestinians since the October 7 attacks were cancelled with 20 then reinstated the Coalition raised concerns about Australia's considerably higher intake compared to the US, New Zealand, UK, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan and South Korea.
About 1300 visa recipients have reached Australia to date, but Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said those who did get here had "no intention of returning".
"The government is now contemplating offering those people permanent places in Australia because they were granted tourist visas improperly," he said.
The cost per place per year in Australia's refugee and humanitarian program from next financial year is $25,520, which the Coalition has seized on to argue if all of the current visitor visa holders from Gaza applied to stay permanently, it would cost taxpayers up to $300 million over four years.
"In the middle of a cost of living crisis, Labor must explain why they are contemplating spending an extra $300 million on welfare and other assistance to Gaza residents who initially came here on tourist visas," Mr Paterson said.
"This is not an orderly way to manage a migration program and it comes with real security risks and economic costs."
Mr Dutton told his party room colleagues on Tuesday the call for a temporary pause on visa approvals was a "principled position" with the Gaza situation not comparable to refugee intakes from conflicts like Afghanistan or Syria.
"We have demonstrated time and time again that Australia is a big hearted and generous nation, but we have an obligation to ensure that the appropriate security checks are being done,'' he said.
