‘Cautious': Visa crackdown sparks worry
Tony Burke holds a suite of powerful portfolios in the Albanese government, including home affairs and immigration.
This gives him direct oversight of intelligence and policing concerns as well as the means to curb foreign threats, such as by rejecting visa applications. Immigration Minister Tony Burke says he has blocked dozens of visas to protect 'social cohesion'. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
With deteriorating social cohesion keeping the terror threat level high, Mr Burke has not hesitated to refuse entry to high-profile figures, including rapper Kanye West and conservative conspiracy theorist Candace Owens – both highly publicised ordeals.
But in a recent interview, Mr Burke revealed he had refused many more that had not reached headlines.
Mr Wilson said on Tuesday he was worried not everyone was being held to the same standard. Senior Liberal MP Tim Wilson says visa approval standards 'should be consistent'. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
'I'm cautious because what it does is empower the minister,' the opposition industry and workplace relations spokesman told Nine's Today.
He went on to say Mr Burke 'in 2018 advocated for a visa for somebody who believed in the enslavement and the punishment of homosexuals and the subjugation of women'.
'You need to make sure that there are clear guidelines that are broadly, equally applicable,' Mr Wilson said.
'If people are going to advocate for harm against Australians, the standard should be consistent, not based on what the minister simply decides based on the whim of the day or his political considerations.'
More to come.
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