The Albanese government’s proposed Trump-style travel ban has sparked an international uproar, with the Russian embassy criticizing the move and Iraqi officials caught off guard by the potential changes.
This week, the federal government attempted to fast-track legislation through Parliament that bans visitors from some foreign countries from coming to Australia, including tourists.
Countries expected to be on the blacklist include Iran, Iraq, Russia, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. These countries do not accept citizens who have been deported from Australia and the government hopes a travel ban will force them to back down.
But Daily Mail Australia can reveal the proposal, which has stalled in Parliament, is causing the government a diplomatic headache.
A spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Canberra told Daily Mail Australia that the inclusion of Russia in this proposed legislation “is quite far-fetched.”
Tourists from at least five countries could be banned from traveling to Australia if tough new immigration laws proposed by the Labor Party are approved by Parliament. More may follow
A spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Canberra told Daily Mail Australia that the inclusion of Russia in this proposed legislation “is quite far-fetched.”
“We are struggling to recall a single occasion on which the Australian government expressed concern about the expulsion of a Russian citizen who had no valid reason to stay or asked us to cooperate with such an expulsion,” the spokesperson fumed.
The Australian government did not approach or inform the Russian embassy about the legislation or its possible effects, the spokesperson added.
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia, the Iraqi embassy in Canberra seemed surprised and asked for information about the proposal.
The proposed travel ban comes as the government prepares for a High Court case on April 17, known as ASF17, which could further reignite controversy over its handling of immigration.
The government spent weeks under fire after the High Court decision in the NZYQ case last November freed 149 detainees, including criminals.
The applicant in this new case is an Iranian who refuses to cooperate with his deportation because he fears persecution and faces the death penalty if he returns to Iran as a bisexual man.
As things stand, there are up to 200 people in immigration detention who are in similar circumstances, and the government fears the High Court could order their release before Parliament approves the rule change.
Potentially affected diasporas have been expressing their disapproval of the legislation in the days following its announcement.
Human rights lawyers have described it as “the pure definition of discrimination” and “Trumpian”, while others have questioned whether Labor would ever have supported the Coalition if the roles had been reversed.
The proposed travel ban comes as the government prepares for a High Court case on April 17, known as ASF17, which could further reignite controversy over its handling of immigration.
Both Ms O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles held a press conference to express their disappointment on Wednesday.
In a further blow to the government, the Greens and Coalition voted on Wednesday to delay the legislation.
He was sent to a Senate inquiry for scrutiny, the report of which could take months, with the clock ticking for the Labor Party.
Greens senator David Shoebridge criticized the proposal as “Trump-style immigration laws buried in Labour’s deportation bill”.
‘They are designed to blacklist citizens of entire countries preventing them from obtaining visas to Australia.
“Thankfully we managed to bring this back from the brink with a Senate investigation, but the threat remains real.”
The matter is expected to return to the House the same week the Budget is issued.
Following the disappointing result in the Senate for Labour, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles held a brief press conference in which they expressed their frustration at the situation.
Ms O’Neil said: “We are very disappointed that the Liberals have stymied our efforts.” The reason we need it is that we seek to run an orderly immigration system in this country.
“Due to 10 years of deliberate neglect, we have an immigration system that… is fundamentally broken.”
O’Neil accused the Coalition of “playing politics” with the issue.
Opposition Immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said on Wednesday morning there was not enough clarity or information to pass the bill immediately.
‘Once again, we are seeing a completely failed process on the part of the government.
“What we want to do is properly examine this legislation; it is serious legislation; it deserves scrutiny, and everyone in the Senate agreed that it needed scrutiny, except the government.”