Palestinians fleeing Gaza continue to have their visas cancelled while en route to Australia, as the federal government faces fierce criticism for the chaotic handling of visa applications for people trying to escape the war zone.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused the government of bungling the visa process, saying: “I think it’s almost without precedent that somebody who’s midair would have their visa cancelled, and be asked to turn around.
“Well, it turns out maybe we weren’t ,” opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said. “Maybe they hadn’t done the necessary checks.”Home Affairs officials said last month that over 2000 visitor visas had been issued to Palestinian residents since the beginning of Israel’s war with Hamas, but only 334 people had arrived in Australia since October.