Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion 1278, standing in the name of Senator Moore for today, relating to the refusal of a visa for Mr Gavin McInnes, before asking that it be taken as a formal motion.

Leave granted.

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) on 24 October 2018, Mr Nyadol Nyoun created a change.org and Federation of Community Legal Centres petition calling on the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (the Minister) to cancel the visa of Mr Gavin McInnes - the founder of the extremist group, The Proud Boys; to date, more than 80,000 people have signed the petition,

(ii) The Proud Boys was recently classified as an extremist group by the FBI and labelled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Centre,

(iii) Mr Gavin McInnes has repeatedly and publicly advocated for violence against women and has pledged to "assassinate" his enemies,

(iv) on 25 October 2018, the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Border Protection formally wrote to the Minister asking him to refuse a visa for Mr Gavin McInnes, given the significant risk he poses to the Australian community; and

(v) the Minister for Immigration, in response to the voices of more than 80,000 people, has denied Gavin McInnes a visa, as of 1st December, for entry into Australia.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is important that the process for considering any visa is conducted according to law, including the provision of natural justice as outlined in the act. All non-citizens who apply for entry to Australia must meet the character requirements as set out in the Migration Act 1958. For visitors who may hold controversial views, any risk they may pose will be balanced against Australia's well-established freedom of speech and freedom of beliefs, amongst other relevant considerations. Whilst the government does not make a habit of commenting on individual cases, I can confirm to the House that Mr McGuinness has been refused entry into Australia. However, the motion is incorrect to state that the decision was taken as a result of the petition. As a result, the government does not support the motion as it is factually incorrect as to the decision-making process.

Question agreed to.