House debates Questions without Notice

Middle East: Migration

Thursday, 22 August 2024 House of Representatives

Dan Tehan

Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

2:18 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. Will individuals currently in the terrorist-controlled Gaza war zone who have already been granted a visa by this government be subject to face-to-face interviews or biometric checks before they arrive in Australia?

Milton Dick

Milton Dick Speaker

Order! The Chief Government Whip is warned.

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister

I thank the member for his question. We know that there's been a change in the position of those opposite, who were saying there'd be a total ban and are now saying 'a temporary pause'—a softening of that. But it's interesting to call for a temporary pause on a border which is closed. The border is closed. I met earlier today with the Prime Minister of Qatar to speak constructively—

Dan Tehan

Dan Tehan Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister

If he doesn't want to hear it—

Milton Dick

Milton Dick Speaker

The Prime Minister is 24 seconds in—the Prime Minister has concluded his answer. We'll move to the next question.

Order! No, the member for Wannon is given the call out of courtesy. It is not then an opportunity to abuse that privilege.