Hamas Pleased That Israel’s Right to Exist No Longer Forefront of Gaza Debate, Says Shadow Foreign Minister

Opposition leader Peter Dutton expressed national security concerns over Australia accepting Gazan refugees who may have ties to Hamas, sparking debate.

Former Australian Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on May 13, 2021. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham said recent parliamentary debates over Gazan refugees arriving in Australia has probably left Hamas “happy.”

“The government and others around the world have shifted the goalposts in relation to a two-state solution, and the approach to that seems to no longer put ensuring peace, security, and recognition of Israel’s right to exist at the forefront as part of that negotiation and offers the opportunity for an early or premature approach to recognition,” he told ABC Radio on Aug. 19.

“These types of changes have given Hamas the type of wins that they would be happy to see.”

This comes after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was called “racist” by Independent MP Zali Steggall after he expressed national security concerns over Australia accepting Gazans who may have ties to Hamas.

Dutton was worried that the government was allowing people from the war zone enter the country without proper checks and searches by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

Birmingham backed his party leader, saying such measures were critical to upholding long-term social cohesion and safety in Australia as well as minimising terrorism risks.

“We are firmly of the view that the strongest possible screening and checks should be applied, and deeply concerned that the track record set by the Albanese government is one that doesn’t involve the strongest possible screening or checks,” he said.

“Because the average processing time for those who came out of Gaza was 24 hours, some were processed in as little as one hour, and not all went through full and thorough identity checking, biometric checking or other scrutiny that would enable identification as to whether they may have sympathies for the actions of Hamas, a listed terrorist organisation.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured Dutton and the House that security checks were being done and that his government maintained the same stance as the previous Liberal-National government.

“It’s exactly the same system that was in place when the leader of the Opposition was the minister for immigration. Security assessments are conducted by the ASIO director-general. If the leader of the Opposition doesn’t have confidence in that system, he should say so,” Albanese told Parliament on Aug. 14.

He added that Dutton’s comments suggesting Gaza refugees should not be allowed into Australia would create “division.”

While the debate continued on Aug. 15, Steggall called Dutton “racist.”

Dutton made multiple interjections while Steggall was telling a story about a Palestinian refugee in her electorate who came to the country “under a visa approved by the Morrison government under the same systems.”

“You can hear me in silence. Stop being racist,” she said in response.

Birmingham defended Dutton’s seeking legal advice over being called a racist.

“It is also a right of every Australian, whatever their political colour and whether they sit in a parliament or not, to expect that the laws of the land apply to them and that includes the right to claim defamation if you feel you have been defamed.”