STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator WHITTEN (Western Australia) (13:40): One Nation takes the safety of Australians seriously. That is why we are calling for the Labor government to ban immigration from countries that DFAT have designated as 'do not travel' because of terrorism and violence. One Nation is also calling on Labor to implement enhanced vetting for countries with sizeable 'do not travel' zones, like Pakistan.

This would be a total of 23 countries that are subject to an immigration ban or enhanced vetting based on DFAT's assessment. In 2024-25, Australia saw over 35,000 in net overseas migration from these regions. There is no way that 35,000 arrivals were vetted sufficiently.

Almost 10,000 of these arrivals were from Pakistan, the country that now tops the Global Terrorism Index. Pakistan accounted for 20 per cent of global terrorist deaths in 2025, with around half the country designated as 'do not travel' zones. How does Labor justify bringing in 10,000 people from a country that has bred so much terror?

It is the reason ASIO assesses Australia as probable for a terror attack in the next 12 months. Labor knows the risks. Their own departments are screaming at them.

If it isn't safe for Aussies to travel to these countries, we shouldn't be importing those countries to Australia. In the wake of the most horrific terrorism offence ever committed on Australian soil, now is the time to assess these threats with the gravity they deserve. Nothing is more important than the safety of the Australian people.

They should be free to enjoy the peaceful life that this country has provided for generations. Let's not wait for the next tragedy to bring in these vital, sensible reforms. One Nation calls on Labor to implement these changes and put the safety of Australians first.