A Palestinian is in immigration detention after his visa on land was revoked on character grounds, according to Senate estimates.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that 3,041 Palestinians fleeing Gaza were granted visas between October 7, 2023 and October 15, 2024 – with 7,252 visas refused. Only four visas were refused on land – with three of these individuals holding another visa that is still in force.
Ministry officials confirmed that one person's visa had been revoked for character reasons.
Liberal Senator James Paterson said there was “huge public interest in these matters” as he sought more information.
“Senator, this is an individual case and we will not discuss the details for privacy reasons,” Michael Thomas, principal assistant secretary for immigration compliance, told the committee.
On October 9, Home Secretary Tony Burke told Parliament that all visa cancellations affecting Palestinians from Gaza “to date had occurred offshore.”
“Ministers have been asked about these matters during Question Time, and as far as I can remember they have previously said that no visas have been revoked on land for security or character reasons?” Paterson wondered.
The number of visas granted to those fleeing Gaza and subsequent cancellations came under scrutiny in Senate estimates on Monday. Source: MONKEY / Middle East Images/ABACA/PA
Labor Senator Murray Watt, representing Home Secretary Tony Burke, said he could confirm “as far as I am aware, everything ministers have previously said was correct at the time they said it”.
It was later confirmed that the cancellation occurred after September 18.
“It is not unprecedented for people who have been granted visas to have their visas revoked due to security information,” he said.
“It happened 20 times when Mr Dutton was a minister.”
Leader of the Opposition citing safety concerns.
Updated figures show that 44 people have had their visas abroad revoked, with 21 of these applications later reconsidered after the ministry received more information. Fifteen of these individuals have since come to Australia.
Questions about the possibility of a return to Gaza
Paterson also referred to theleading to the release of approximately 150 immigration detainees.
The prospect of sending anyone back to Gaza amid the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe seems remote, raising questions about the future of the Palestinian individual.
“If this person cannot be removed and if the NZYQ obligations come into effect, then they should still be released into the community, right?” he asked.
“Senator, we would speculate about that, we don't know the circumstances yet,” Interior Secretary Stephanie Foster told the committee.
Assistant Secretary Michael Thomas added that the person “may wish to depart voluntarily to a country to which he has a right of entry.”
Lawyers for refugees have told SBS that revoking a visa on character grounds does not necessarily mean the individual poses a threat to national security.
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