- Peter Dutton calls for ban on Gaza refugees entering Australia
- Independent MP Zali Steggall called him a “racist”
Teal Party MP Zali Steggell has branded Peter Dutton a “racist” over his call to ban Palestinians from fleeing to Australia from war-torn Gaza.
The opposition leader told Sky News on Wednesday there was uncertainty about Gaza refugees and their allegiance to the Palestinian terror group Hamas.
“I don’t think people should be coming from that war zone at this time. It’s not prudent to do so and I think it puts our national security at risk,” Dutton said.
On Thursday, on the floor of the House of Representatives, Ms Steggall, who represents Warringah in SydneyThe northern beaches of the country accused Mr Dutton of painting all Palestinians as terrorists.
“These are families that you are trying to present… as if somehow they were all terrorists, as if they were all infidels, as if they were not worthy of humanitarian aid,” he said.
‘Stop being racist.’
Mr Dutton called the comment “unparliamentary” and called for it to be withdrawn.
Peter Dutton does not believe Palestinians fleeing Gaza should be allowed into Australia for security reasons
Ms Steggall protested: “Is describing language as racist an unparliamentary comment?”
But he later complied with the president’s request to withdraw the comment.
Dutton defended his comments later on Thursday, telling Today show host Karl Stefanovic he was trying to protect Australians.
Stefanovic asked: “Are you a ruthless racist? Do you have any humanity left?”
Mr Dutton replied: “I think it’s enough to put aside all the usual political nonsense.”
“We have to make decisions, and they may be difficult decisions, but decisions that benefit our country.”
“What’s happened here, Karl, is that the government has brought people in from war zones; in some cases, they haven’t even done face-to-face interviews, and that’s unprecedented.”
He compared the situation to the idea of allowing al-Qaeda and ISIS sympathisers into the country.
Independent MP Zali Steggall (pictured in the House of Representatives on Thursday) called Dutton a “racist”
“The government is trying to fix this, but it is putting our country at risk. We can welcome people in a measured and responsible way, but they have not done that,” he said.
Asked whether he had discussed his position with colleagues beforehand, Mr Dutton said: “To be honest, it’s not a discussion for the Shadow Cabinet, it’s a discussion with the national security team.
“It’s the best for our country.”
ASIO Director Mike Burgess and Home Office officials have repeatedly said that adequate security checks were carried out on visa applicants.
Around 1,200 Israelis were killed when Hamas launched its attack on October 7 and nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s counter-offensive in Gaza.
The Australian government has called for a ceasefire plan as the death toll mounts and the humanitarian situation worsens.