Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government can no longer hide behind the paper-thin facade that this war is about protecting the people of Iran. You can't keep hiding behind glib words and meaningless lip service. Australia is at war. Labor has taken us to war. And now, as people try to escape the missiles, the toxic rain and the constant bombardment, this government is rushing to block visas, not because of any crime committed but because those visas might be used by people to seek refuge from your illegal and immoral war. This is a cruel, racist law by a cruel and deeply hypocritical government. Labor sanctimoniously frames itself as the saviour of the Iranian women's football team while at the same time shutting the door on anyone else trying to flee death and destruction.

There are many in this chamber who cast themselves as the heroes of this war story, but what kinds of heroes sign up without question to a war that reeks of lies, imperialism and domination? What kinds of heroes line up behind egomaniac men like Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu? What kinds of heroes turn away innocent men, women and children who try to escape the chaos?

Seeking asylum is a basic human right, but, once again, Labor is shirking its moral and legal obligations, blocking refugees from the Middle East. There are no heroes in this decision, only a heartless, gutless government. Unless the Albanese government change course, history will remember them all as the villains that they are.