Pauline Hanson Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
2:35 pm
My question is to Minister Cash, representing the Minister for Home Affairs. Many Australians will be unaware that, since 2003, most refugees resettled in Australia come from Islamic countries in Africa and the Middle East. Refugees are overrepresented among those charged with or convicted of terrorist or terrorist related offences. A Somalian born refugee committed a terrorist act in the heart of the Melbourne CBD last week. His family are of interest to security services. President Trump has travel bans on Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Surveys show most Australians want to ban immigration from known extremist countries. When will the government stop immigration from known extremist countries?
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education
I thank Senator Hanson for her question. Senator Hanson will be well aware that Australia has a non-discriminatory immigration policy. We stand by that.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Scott Ryan President
I remind senators of my demand for silence during questions. Senator Hanson.
Pauline Hanson Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
2:36 pm
Minister, the PM has advocated that we will say who comes into our country. In June 2017 an Australian Bureau of Statistics' publication reported the Sudanese to have the highest rate of imprisonment of those born overseas. Will the government stop immigration from Sudan in light of continuing high crime rates over a number of years?
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education
Thank you, Senator Hanson. I refer to my previous answer. The Australian government has a non-discriminatory immigration policy.
Pauline Hanson Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party
2:37 pm
In light of the fact that this government has a non-discriminatory policy, you are not listening to the Australian people and their concerns of what is happening on our streets. How many refugees are currently on our national security services watchlist? Does that number include refugees on state government police watchlists?
Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education
Senator Hanson, you raise some quite specific questions that require specific detail. To the extent that I can, I will take them on notice and review them.