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James Paterson Vows Coalition Will ‘Shut the Door’ to Those Who Reject Australian Values
Shadow defence minister signals tougher migration stance, saying future Liberal government would block entrants who express hostility toward Australia
Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson has declared that a future Coalition government would “shut the door” to anyone who hates Australia, outlining a hardening stance on migration and national security as political debate intensifies.
Speaking amid broader discussions about immigration levels and social cohesion, Senator Paterson said Australia should not grant entry to individuals who demonstrate hostility toward the country, its democratic institutions or its values.
He argued that migration policy must prioritise national interest and social stability, and that prospective entrants who display extremist sympathies or open contempt for Australia should be denied visas.
The comments form part of a wider recalibration within the Liberal Party as it seeks to sharpen distinctions with the Labor government on border protection, national security and integration standards.
Coalition figures have increasingly emphasised the importance of screening not only for security threats but also for alignment with what they describe as core Australian values, including respect for the rule of law, equality and democratic freedoms.
Government ministers have responded by pointing to Australia’s existing visa vetting framework, which includes security assessments conducted by intelligence agencies and character tests under migration law.
They maintain that current systems already allow authorities to refuse or cancel visas on character or security grounds, and caution against rhetoric that risks inflaming community tensions.
The exchange reflects a broader political contest over how to manage migration in a period marked by cost-of-living pressures, housing shortages and global instability.
While the Coalition argues that firmer messaging is necessary to protect national cohesion, Labor continues to defend its approach as balanced and grounded in established legal safeguards.
As debate over migration and identity sharpens ahead of future electoral contests, national security and social integration are likely to remain central themes in Australia’s political landscape.
Speaking amid broader discussions about immigration levels and social cohesion, Senator Paterson said Australia should not grant entry to individuals who demonstrate hostility toward the country, its democratic institutions or its values.
He argued that migration policy must prioritise national interest and social stability, and that prospective entrants who display extremist sympathies or open contempt for Australia should be denied visas.
The comments form part of a wider recalibration within the Liberal Party as it seeks to sharpen distinctions with the Labor government on border protection, national security and integration standards.
Coalition figures have increasingly emphasised the importance of screening not only for security threats but also for alignment with what they describe as core Australian values, including respect for the rule of law, equality and democratic freedoms.
Government ministers have responded by pointing to Australia’s existing visa vetting framework, which includes security assessments conducted by intelligence agencies and character tests under migration law.
They maintain that current systems already allow authorities to refuse or cancel visas on character or security grounds, and caution against rhetoric that risks inflaming community tensions.
The exchange reflects a broader political contest over how to manage migration in a period marked by cost-of-living pressures, housing shortages and global instability.
While the Coalition argues that firmer messaging is necessary to protect national cohesion, Labor continues to defend its approach as balanced and grounded in established legal safeguards.
As debate over migration and identity sharpens ahead of future electoral contests, national security and social integration are likely to remain central themes in Australia’s political landscape.
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