Let’s move on to the recent Palestinian refugees from Gaza given fast-track visas. Why were they given special treatment, where some visas were said to be given with only an hour of scrutiny and processing? An hour?
Senator ROBERTS: Let’s move on to the recent Palestinian refugees from Gaza given fast-track visas. Why were they given special treatment, where some visas were said to be given with only an hour of scrutiny and processing? An hour?
CHAIR: Senator Roberts, officials will probably dispute the assumptions made in your question. I won’t put myself on the other side of the table, but we did have extensive questioning on that earlier—it does relate to outcome 2 as well.
Senator ROBERTS: Okay. Given that 80 per cent of Palestinians support the inhuman terrorist Hamas regime in Gaza, how can these Palestinians be shown not to be a danger to Australians in such a short time?
CHAIR: Senator Roberts, that relates to outcome 2. Apart from being divisive language, it’s probably not an appropriate question in parliament—
Senator ROBERTS: Last question—when will Palestine be declared a country of concern so that high-risk applicants from Palestine are not able to be considered for a visa?
Senator Watt: I’m not actually even sure if that’s possible, given that Palestine is not a nation.
Senator ROBERTS: So you have to have a nation before you can—
Senator Watt: I don’t know, I’m guessing that’s the way it works, but officials might know better than me.
Senator REYNOLDS: Yes—
Senator Watt: I’m doing my best to assist the committee, Senator Reynolds!
CHAIR: Yes.
Senator ROBERTS: Okay, thank you very much. Thank you, Chair.
CHAIR: Thank you, Senator Roberts. Senator Paterson.