A leaked Liberal Party proposal seeks to suspend visa processing for migrants from specific regions in 13 countries or territories linked to terrorism risks, blocking entries for up to three years.
Details of the Proposal
The draft targets areas under terrorist control or facing prolonged insurgency, including parts of Gaza, Egypt, Somalia, Mindanao in the Philippines, and Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen. It does not impose blanket bans on entire nations like Somalia or the Philippines but focuses on high-risk zones.
Senior Liberal figures describe the plan as a working blueprint subject to revisions. Home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam, immigration spokesman Paul Scarr, and advisers from former leader Sussan Ley’s office prepared the document. New Opposition Leader Angus Taylor awaits its formal review.
International Parallels
The approach echoes recent U.S. and U.K. measures. The Trump administration halted visa processing from 75 countries, while the U.K. introduced restrictions on arrivals from Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.
Party Leaders Respond
Deputy Nationals leader Kevin Hogan notes the proposal has not reached Sussan Ley’s shadow cabinet, leaving its status unclear.
Taylor emphasizes rejecting migrants who oppose core Australian values. He states, “We believe in basic freedoms of speech and religion, and if people don’t accept those things, they shouldn’t come to our country. The door should be shut.”
Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume calls for a migration policy reset. She stresses, “There should be an understanding that if you come to this country, you’re expected to not just respect our democracy and our rule of law, but to contribute to our society and our economy as well.”
Hume highlights skilled migration’s value but criticizes current levels: “Skilled migration is profoundly important. But I think we all know that, at some point, something’s got to change, because the rate of migration we have at the moment… the amount is too high, and the standard too low.”
She rejects One Nation’s eight-year pause on migration from certain nations as “a reactionary policy that I think is entirely unrealistic and unsustainable.” Hume adds, “Migration has been a really important part of the Australian story. But it’s the right migration. We want to make sure that we bring people to the country that will contribute to the economy, contribute to society, and help us all improve our standard of living.”
Affected Countries and Regions
The proposal identifies these 13 nations for targeted restrictions:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Cameroon
- Egypt
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Palestine
- Philippines
- Somalia
- Yemen
Temporary visa holders breaching Australian values could face deportation under the plan.
