‘Be Very Wary’: Opposition Calls for Proper Screening of Repatriated Individuals

Smoke in the Gaza Strip as seen from Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, on Oct. 18, 2023. Amir Cohen/Reuters

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has sounded a warning about needing to vet individuals hopping on repatriation flights from Gaza.

Mr. Dutton, previously the home affairs minister in the Morrison government, said mass repatriations may not be in Australia’s best interest.

At this stage, the federal government is operating multiple flights out of Israel and is trying to work with international partners to establish a humanitarian corridor out of Gaza.

Over 79 Australian residents including citizens and permanent residents are currently in Gaza, as of the time of writing.

In response to questions about the safety risk of repatriating individuals from Gaza, Mr. Dutton said the government should be “very wary.”

“The government would need to be very wary about bringing people out of a very difficult war-torn environment at the moment,” Mr. Dutton said in an interview with Ray Hadley on 2GB radio.

“Ultimately the prime minister has got to act in our country’s best interest. And I don’t believe it’s in our country’s best interest to be increasing that intake at the moment without certainty about who those individuals are.

“So, I think the circumstances and the conditions at the moment are precarious, and I’d be surprised if the government’s considering that.”

The opposition leader reminded the public of scenes from Afghanistan of individuals hanging onto American aircraft trying to flee Kabul.

Mr. Dutton said repatriated Afghans were screened before coming to Australia, and that there was a “more predictable environment in a sense.”

“We had a better picture on many of the applicants who ended up settling here in Australia, and thank goodness because many of them would have been slaughtered because of their assistance to Australia’s campaign in Afghanistan.”

Australian Opposition Leader Peter Dutton speaks to media during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, on May 15, 2023. AAP Image/Jono Searle

Albanese Faces Calls to Visit Israel

Mr. Albanese has also faced questions in recent days about his stance on Israel and Palestine.

In response to questioning from reporters on which side he is taking, Mr. Albanese said, “We pick a side against Hamas.”

“Australia unequivocally condemns the terrorism of Hamas. We grieve for the loss of every innocent life, whether that be Israeli or Palestinian,” Mr. Albanese said.

Mr. Albanese faced calls on Oct. 24 from Opposition Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham to stop by Israel on his way back from the United States.

“It would be a very welcome show of support and solidarity by Australia for the prime minister to, on his way back from the United States, change plans and go via Israel. I know the government keeps highlighting only the permanent five members of the UN Security Council who have been,” Mr. Birmingham said.

“But they are not the only world leaders to have visited. Indeed, the EU Commission President von der Leyen has visited German Chancellor Schulz visited. You’ve seen Romania’s prime minister visit. You’ve seen foreign ministers from a range of other countries as well.”

Former Australian ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma, who is vying to replace Marise Payne in the Senate, told Sky News a visit by the Australian prime minister “would be welcome.”

“The lack of contact to date from Australia and from this prime minister has been noticed in Israel,” Mr. Sharma said.

U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese walk into the Rose Garden for a press conference at the White House on October 25, 2023 in Washington, DC.  Drew Angerer/Getty Images

‘Few Leaders’ in the World Yet to Speak With Netanyahu: PM

At this stage, Mr. Albanese has spoken to the Israeli ambassador, but not Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We understand that, obviously, Mr. Netanyahu has pressure on, [and not] at the top of the list is a discussion with the Australian prime minister,” Mr. Albanese said.

“We have a request for a call-in.”

Opposition Leader Dutton expressed surprise at this news, and highlighted there would be very few leaders in the world facing this scenario.

“The fact that Prime Minister Netanyahu hasn’t yet taken his phone call, there would be very few leaders in the world who have reached out to provide support that the Israelis haven’t accepted,” he said.

“They want it to be seen that they’re standing with friends and friends are standing with them,” Mr. Dutton said.

“It’s quite remarkable actually, that the prime minister’s call, even though he’s put a request in well over 10 days ago to speak to the Israeli prime minister, that they haven’t taken that call. I think that says as much as anything about the Israelis view on where Anthony Albanese is on these matters.”

Earlier in his career, Mr. Albanese founded Parliamentary Friend of Palestine. In recent days, footage has emerged of Mr. Albanese attending a pro-Palestine early in his parliamentary career.

The Albanese government also this week announced $5 million (US$3.17 million) in “humanitarian aid” for Gaza at a joint press conference with President Joe Biden.

“Today I announce that Australia will provide an additional $15 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza. This adds to the $10 million Australia has already committed and will help deliver life-saving assistance such as emergency water and medical services,” Mr. Albanese said in Washington.

“The friendship between Australia and the United States was forged in hard times. We’ve served and sacrificed together in the cause of peace. We’ve helped each other through natural disasters.”