Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly dismissed assertions that people arriving in Australia from predominantly Muslim countries will import their conflicts and tensions, emphasising that Australia’s immigration and security systems protect national harmony and public safety.

The comments were made amid heated debate over refugees and nationals linked to Islamic State militants attempting to return from camps in Syria, which have been a flashpoint in Australian politics in recent days.

During television commentary, Sky News host James Macpherson noted that the prime minister was “dismissing concerns” that migrants from Islamic regions would bring their conflicts to Australia and potentially destabilise social cohesion.

In response, Mr Albanese reiterated the longstanding principle that migrants and refugees who come to Australia must leave any prejudice or hostility at the border, and that the vast majority do so successfully while contributing positively to Australian society.

The prime minister’s remarks align with his government’s broader stance that Australia’s immigration vetting processes, including security, intelligence and visa checks, are robust and calibrated to manage risks while upholding humanitarian commitments.

This message was underlined in recent debates over a group of thirty-four Australian women and children, many with familial links to Islamic State fighters, who were blocked from leaving a camp in northeast Syria after attempting to travel to Australia and were returned to the Roj detention camp.

Government officials have reiterated that they will not assist repatriation and will act on security advice in dealing with any returnees.

Opposition figures have seized on concerns about migration and national security to criticise the government, but Mr Albanese emphasised that fear-based narratives about Islam are unhelpful and do not reflect the lived reality of migrant communities in Australia.

He stressed that social cohesion, respect for diverse backgrounds and adherence to the rule of law are central to the country’s success.

The government continues to assert that its policies strike a balance between maintaining national security and preserving Australia’s values of openness and inclusivity.

Australia’s policy discourse around immigration and security remains highly charged, with advocacy groups, political opponents and commentators contributing varied perspectives on how to manage complex humanitarian and security challenges.

The Albanese government has consistently called for measured debate and reliance on factual assessments rather than polarising rhetoric.