Citizens from Iran, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Russia, and South Sudan could be BANNED from visiting Australia if Labor’s new immigration laws go through parliament.
The government, led by Anthony Albanese, is pushing new legislation through Parliament this week in response to a High Court ruling that saw more than 140 asylum seekers released.
If they go through, the laws will mean that the government can single out countries that don’t cooperate with Australia’s attempts to deport people back to their country of birth.
Visitors from countries including Iran, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Russia, and South Sudan could be banned from visiting Australia even for a holiday.
The laws would also mean that asylum seekers who don’t comply with deportation could face five years in jail.
The draft legislation put together by the government went through Labor on Tuesday in reaction to a challenge from an Iranian detainee who claims they cannot go back to Iran because they are bisexual.
Draft legislation for the bill seeks: “Designating a country as a removal concern country, and imposing a bar on new visa applications from no-citizens outside Australia who are nationals of a country that does not accept removals reflects the government’s expectation that a foreign country will cooperate with Australia to facilitate the lawful removal of a non-citizen who is a national of that country.
“… The designation would also ensure the removal concern country is aware of Australia’s concerns in relation to the removal of the country’s nationals from Australia where they have no valid reason to remain, and Australia’s expectations of cooperation by that country in relation to the prompt and lawful removal of its nationals.”
