Home Affairs Minister Stands by Refugee Welcome, Owens Visa Ban in Migration Address

Tony Burke has called for an end to ‘dog-whistle’ politics regarding the immigration debate.
Home Affairs Minister Stands by Refugee Welcome, Owens Visa Ban in Migration Address
Tony Burke, the minister for Home Affairs, Immigration, Cyber, and the Arts, during Question Time in Canberra, Australia on Oct. 9, 2025. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images
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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has called for an honest, fact-based national conversation on migration, warning that “dog-whistle politics” has no place in modern Australia.

Speaking at the National Press Club on Oct. 16, Burke outlined his position on several issues that have confronted the minister in recent weeks including the Coalition’s internal division on migration, Burke’s decision to personally welcome Palestinian refugee arrivals, and cancelling visas for high profile conservatives.

Naziya Alvi Rahman
Naziya Alvi Rahman
Author
Naziya Alvi Rahman is a Canberra-based journalist who covers political issues in Australia. She can be reached at [email protected].