Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

It would be inappropriate for me to go into the detail of Dr Atwan’s application, but the fact that other countries have allowed him into their country is not a factor that would makes us reach a decision in a similar manner. We determine applications for a visa to enter Australia on the basis of Australian law, Australian checks and the advice given by agencies such as ASIO. We do it on that basis, quite properly. We do not follow another country and say that, because they do something, we will do the same. I can assure the Senate that this is an application which is being considered properly. There are processes being gone through, and those processes naturally take time.