Media Releases

10 March 2026

I am extremely concerned by legislation that would give the government sweeping new powers to suspend the use of valid temporary visas for entire groups of people based on changing global circumstance.

In practice, this would allow the government to designate whole cohorts of visa holders from particular countries and prevent them from using lawfully granted visas. This legislation is clearly targeted at Iranians, but in future could be unfairly applied to any nationality, such as Lebanese and Palestinian temporary visa holders caught up in the current Middle East conflict.

Also deeply troubling is the hypocrisy of the government. While the government is granting visas to the Iranian women’s soccer team - and selling it as a good-news story and photo opportunity - it is simultaneously using this legislation to effectively block thousands of other Iranians from entering Australia on valid visas.

Outrageously, the government is also attempting to rush this serious legislation through parliament without scrutiny. Without forewarning the crossbench, the government introduced the bill to the House this morning and did not allow for second reading debate, denying the in-depth examination this bill badly needs.

Under this proposed legislation, people who have gone through Australia’s visa process, paid application fees and made travel arrangements in good faith could suddenly be told their visa is effectively on hold for up to six months.  The government has provided no clear answers about whether people would be compensated for financial losses if they are prevented from travelling, including those who may already be in transit to Australia.

The legislation would hand the Minister significant discretionary power to determine which groups of visa holders are affected. There is no clear review mechanism for affected individuals and no sunset clause to limit how long this extraordinary power could remain in place.

That creates a dangerous precedent. Decisions affecting thousands of people could be made through unchecked ministerial powers with very limited oversight. If visas can be paused or invalidated after they are issued, it creates uncertainty and erodes trust in the visa system.

I will be moving an amendment to this legislation that seeks to:

- limit the unfettered ministerial powers

- better define the event that would give rise to visa suspension, and exclude any conflict that Australia is participating in or providing assistance for

- create a sunset clause to put a time limit on the legislation

- ensure the cost of visa applications and travel expenses are reimbursed in cases where a visa is suspended.