A proposed immigration policy floated by Australia’s Liberal Party could restrict entry to migrants coming from regions believed to be under terrorist control, including certain areas in the Philippines, raising attention as Canberra and Manila continue to deepen defense and diplomatic cooperation.
An Australian-based media report said the plan would allow authorities to label as many as 37 regions as “terror-controlled,” linked to 15 identified extremist organizations. The countries included in the list are Afghanistan, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine, the Philippines, Somalia and Yemen.
The proposal was reportedly drafted under former opposition leader Sussan Ley, along with shadow immigration minister Paul Scarr and shadow home affairs minister Jonno Duniam.
However, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said he had not reviewed the policy details and confirmed that it had not been cleared by the shadow cabinet, the shadow Expenditure Review Committee, or the party’s leadership group.
Taylor addressed the issue in an interview on Sky News Sunday Agenda, saying the immigration debate “is not about any particular race or religion.”
“Our focus is on bringing people to this country who believe in our values, who come here because they know this is the greatest nation on earth,” he said.
“If they reject our focus on democracy… our basic freedoms, freedom of speech, freedom of religion – if they reject those things, the door must be shut.”
When questioned about migrants coming from Muslim-majority nations, Taylor repeated that “this is not about any particular race or religion,” but rather about “people who accept our way of life.”
He also pushed for a stronger intelligence role in migrant screening, warning against individuals bringing “hate and violence” from overseas.
The policy discussion comes as immigration has become a major political flashpoint in Australia following a recent terror attack in Bondi Beach, with reports indicating growing support for tougher immigration measures.
In the Philippine context, the inclusion of regions in the country comes despite years of counterterrorism coordination between Australia and the Philippines, including training and intelligence assistance provided by Canberra to Philippine forces fighting ISIS-linked militants in parts of Mindanao.
The proposed ban has not yet been adopted as an official party policy.
