Australian foreign minister Penny Wong has clashed with Sunrise host Matt ‘Shirvo’ Shirvington after questions were raised whether hundreds of Palestinians granted visas under the ‘normal’ checks should have been more scrutinised.
The Department of Home Affairs has issued 860 temporary visas to people in Gaza with Australian connections in the aftermath of Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel.
An additional 1,700 temporary visas have also been offered to Israelis as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues.
On Thursday, James Paterson, the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, voiced his apprehension regarding the rapid approval of visas. He sought assurance from the government that a thorough and rigorous scrutiny had been applied to the entire process.
Senator Wong defended the visa process and security checks during several breakfast TV interviews on Thursday, including a fiery exchange with Shirvington and Nat Barr on Sunrise.
The interview became heated after Shirvo asked whether the minister could guarantee whether stringent background checks had been conducted on visa recipients.
She tried to assure all had gone through appropriate security and character checks.
‘These people have been subjected to the normal security and identity checks, and character checks,’ Senator Wong began.
‘What I would also emphasise that just because has been given a visa obviously doesn’t mean they’re able to leave where they are.
‘And we know that it has been very difficult for people, including Australian citizens, to leave Gaza. We’ve been working on this for weeks.’
Shirvington interrupted: ‘Normal’ security checks. Shouldn’t it be more scrutinised than that?
‘I’m not quite sure what you’re asking me, Shirvo,’ a baffled Senator Wong replied.
He clarified: ‘There is a volatile situation and the security level is heightened.’
‘Yes, we are ensuring that people who are applying for visas, both relatives of people in Gaza but also in Israel are processed with the appropriate character checks, the appropriate security checks, the appropriate identity checks, and that’s as it should be,’ Senator Wong replied before the interview was quickly wrapped up.
The Australian government continues to assist 69 people in Gaza after 127 Australians, permanent residents and their families fled the strip.
A short time earlier, Senator Wong copped a similar grilling on Channel Nine’s Today show about the visa selection process.
‘Those in Gaza will be people with links to Australia but there are concerns about the timing of this, the number of people and the selection process,’ Sarah Abo asked
‘How are you selecting candidates?
Senator Wong stressed that the normal checks are being made.
‘I would make this point in relation to those in Gaza: That not everyone who gets a Visa can leave, and as you know, we’ve been working for weeks to get Australian we’ve been working for weeks to get Australian citizens, permanent residents and their families out of Gaza.’
Abo asked whether the government was giving false hope to those trying to flee Gaza.
The minister argued that the government had been working to get people out.
‘We’ve been working to engage with countries been working to engage with countries in the region to try and ensure this doesn’t spill over, obviously ensure this doesn’t spill over, obviously with very bad consequences for all of us, ‘ Senator Wong said.
‘And we’ve been encouraging and continuing to call for the hostages to be released, continuing to call for humanitarian pauses and humanitarian corridors.’
‘We all want to take the next steps towards a sustainable ceasefire.’
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson has called reassurance security agencies hadn’t been rushed and appropriate security checks had been conducted.
He said the number of visas granted had been a lot for such a tight period of time.
‘I’m looking for assurance from the government that no corners have been cut,’ he told Sky News.
It comes as Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day ceasefire where 50 Israeli hostages being held in Gaza will be released within hours in exchange for 150 Palestinians detained in Israel.
The deal also allows entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged strip.