IS-linked Australian Woman Hit with Two-Year Return Ban Under First-Ever Temporary Exclusion Order
New Opposition Leader Angus Taylor Pledges ‘Values-Based’ Immigration Crackdown
Qantas Cancels Peak-Hour Melbourne–Sydney Flight, Underscoring Domestic Capacity Strains
Latest News
Leaked ‘Operation Gatekeeper’ Visa-Ban Draft Triggers Bipartisan Uproar
A leaked Coalition discussion paper proposes suspending all new visa applications from 37 “terror-controlled” regions across 13 countries for three years. The idea has drawn heavy criticism from refugee advocates, business groups and senior Liberals, who say blanket bans would be discriminatory and damage Australia’s skills pipeline. The controversy highlights deep divisions over how national security should shape migration policy.
Canberra Launches Taskforce to Smash Traffickers Behind ‘False’ Asylum Claims
The federal government has launched a new taskforce targeting people-smuggling syndicates accused of lodging hundreds of bogus protection-visa applications for profit. Using recently enacted enforcement powers, authorities will issue steep fines and prohibition notices to complicit migration agents and labour-hire firms. Companies employing large numbers of bridging-visa holders should expect stricter audits.
Angus Taylor Forms New Shadow Cabinet, Signals ‘Tough but Targeted’ Migration Reform
New Liberal leader Angus Taylor rejected the leaked visa-ban proposal but promised a ‘tough but targeted’ migration overhaul, including enhanced security vetting and English-language rules. Employers and universities say they welcome policy stability but fear added complexity. The announcement indicates migration integrity will be a central issue heading into the next election.
48-Hour Biosecurity IT Shutdown Set for 21-22 Feb—Expect Delays at Borders
DAFF will take key import and biosecurity systems offline for 48 hours on 21–22 February to complete a data-centre migration. Airlines, freight forwarders and travellers carrying goods should expect slower manual processing and plan lodgements well in advance. The upgrade is the last step before Australia’s new cloud-based biosecurity platform goes live.