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Malcolm Turnbull refuses to denounce Trump's travel ban Malcolm Turnbull refuses to denounce Trump's travel ban
(about 1 hour later)
Malcolm Turnbull has refused to comment on Donald Trump’s contentious ban on travel by people from a group of Muslim-majority nations, labelling it the “domestic policy” of another country.Malcolm Turnbull has refused to comment on Donald Trump’s contentious ban on travel by people from a group of Muslim-majority nations, labelling it the “domestic policy” of another country.
But the prime minister did reiterate Australia’s commitment to multiculturalism and a nondiscriminatory immigration program.But the prime minister did reiterate Australia’s commitment to multiculturalism and a nondiscriminatory immigration program.
At a media conference in Canberra Turnbull said the Australian government had not yet had any reports of dual citizens being denied entry to the US. While there have been chaotic scenes at US airports since the ban took effect, at a media conference in Canberra on Monday, Turnbull downplayed the impact of Trump’s executive order, saying the Australian government had not yet had any reports of dual citizens being denied entry to the US.
The foreign minister, Julie Bishop, later revealed that the government had asked if other countries received “preferential treatment” – exempting their dual nationals from the ban – that Australia received the same deal. But the foreign minister, Julie Bishop revealed later on Monday the Australian government was seeking an exemption from the travel ban for dual citizens.
Turnbull said he and Trump had spoken on Sunday, confirming reports that Australia had secured Trump’s agreement to honour the deal to resettle refugees held on Manus Island and Nauru, which was negotiated under the Obama administration. The US has given both the United Kingdom and Canada an exemption from the controversial ban.
Turnbull told reporters he and Trump had spoken on Sunday, and he confirmed reports that Australia had secured Trump’s agreement to honour the deal to resettle refugees held on Manus Island and Nauru, which was negotiated under the Obama administration.
“We discussed the importance of border security,” Turnbull said. “The threat of illegal and irregular migration, and recognised that it is vital that every nation is able to control who comes across its borders.”“We discussed the importance of border security,” Turnbull said. “The threat of illegal and irregular migration, and recognised that it is vital that every nation is able to control who comes across its borders.”
Asked about the ban – which has sparked protests, a legal challenge and criticism in the US and internationally – Turnbull said: “It is not my job, as prime minister of Australia, to run a commentary on the domestic policies of other countries.” Asked about the travel ban – which has sparked protests, a legal challenge and criticism in the US and internationally – Turnbull dead batted, saying: “It is not my job, as prime minister of Australia, to run a commentary on the domestic policies of other countries.”
Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, has written to the government to ask if the travel ban applies to Australian dual citizens and for “clarification” on its position on the ban itself. While the major parties normally prioritise bipartisanship on foreign affairs matters, the Labor leader Bill Shorten branded Trump’s travel ban “appalling” and he declared Turnbull needed to show leadership.
She noted that the terms of the order implied dual citizens would be affected but Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, had said its dual nationals will be exempt. It's time for leadership. pic.twitter.com/Dn8sajILG2
Labor’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Penny Wong, meanwhile wrote to the government to ask if the travel ban applies to Australian dual citizens, and sought “clarification” on the government’s position on the ban itself.
She noted that the terms of the order implied dual citizens would be affected but Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, had said Canadian dual nationals will be exempt.
“I seek your advice on what representations the government has made to the US administration on behalf of these Australians, and confirmation on whether the executive order applies to Australian dual nationals,” Wong wrote.“I seek your advice on what representations the government has made to the US administration on behalf of these Australians, and confirmation on whether the executive order applies to Australian dual nationals,” Wong wrote.
In a response to Wong and Guardian Australia, Bishop said: “I have directed our officials in Washington DC to work with US officials to ensure any preferential treatment extended to any other country in relation to travel and entry to the United States is extended to Australia.”In a response to Wong and Guardian Australia, Bishop said: “I have directed our officials in Washington DC to work with US officials to ensure any preferential treatment extended to any other country in relation to travel and entry to the United States is extended to Australia.”
Asked to comment on the order given that it may affect Australian dual nationals, Turnbull said: “We have not seen any cases of it so doing.” Earlier, during his press conference in Canberra, when asked to comment on the executive order, given that it may affect Australian dual nationals, Turnbull said: “We have not seen any cases of it so doing.”
“As the foreign minister’s spokesman said this morning, our embassy is engaging with US officials on this subject.“As the foreign minister’s spokesman said this morning, our embassy is engaging with US officials on this subject.
“But at this stage, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not had any consular assistance requests from Australians unable to board.“But at this stage, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not had any consular assistance requests from Australians unable to board.
“If those issues arise in respect of Australian citizens, we will, and we are, taking up that issue with the administration.”“If those issues arise in respect of Australian citizens, we will, and we are, taking up that issue with the administration.”
Asked whether the US policy was discriminatory, Turnbull said: “Our values are very well-known – our commitment to multiculturalism, our commitment to a nondiscriminatory immigration program is very well-known.Asked whether the US policy was discriminatory, Turnbull said: “Our values are very well-known – our commitment to multiculturalism, our commitment to a nondiscriminatory immigration program is very well-known.
“That’s where we stand. That’s our policy – but our borders are secure.”“That’s where we stand. That’s our policy – but our borders are secure.”
Turnbull said Australia’s border security arrangements were “the envy of the world” because they helped keep terrorists out of Australia.Turnbull said Australia’s border security arrangements were “the envy of the world” because they helped keep terrorists out of Australia.
“If others wish to emulate what we’re doing, they’re welcome to do so,” he said, echoing comments from the treasurer and former immigration minister, Scott Morrison, that the rest of the world was now “catching up” with Australia’s harsh deterrence policies. “If others wish to emulate what we’re doing, they’re welcome to do so,” he said, echoing comments earlier in the day from the treasurer and former immigration minister, Scott Morrison, that the rest of the world was now “catching up” with Australia’s harsh deterrence policies.
On Sunday Australia’s trade minister, Steve Ciobo, said he would not support a Trump-style ban and nor would most Australians.On Sunday Australia’s trade minister, Steve Ciobo, said he would not support a Trump-style ban and nor would most Australians.
In an interview with Sky News on Monday, the education minister, Simon Birmingham, repeated Turnbull’s formulation that the executive order was a US policy but Australia had a nondiscriminatory immigration program of which its people “should be proud”.In an interview with Sky News on Monday, the education minister, Simon Birmingham, repeated Turnbull’s formulation that the executive order was a US policy but Australia had a nondiscriminatory immigration program of which its people “should be proud”.
Morrison did not address the principle of nondiscrimination in his interview on 2GB Radio on Monday.Morrison did not address the principle of nondiscrimination in his interview on 2GB Radio on Monday.
Birmingham rebuked his Coalition colleague George Christensen, who told Guardian Australia that he would like to see a total ban on Australia’s humanitarian intake and a Trump-style ban from countries that had a high level of violent extremism.Birmingham rebuked his Coalition colleague George Christensen, who told Guardian Australia that he would like to see a total ban on Australia’s humanitarian intake and a Trump-style ban from countries that had a high level of violent extremism.
Turnbull refused to give further details of the refugee deal, of which much is still unknown, including how many people will be resettled.Turnbull refused to give further details of the refugee deal, of which much is still unknown, including how many people will be resettled.
He said the US screening process – which is already under way, with US officials visiting Manus Island and Nauru – would be “very thorough” and would take “some time”.He said the US screening process – which is already under way, with US officials visiting Manus Island and Nauru – would be “very thorough” and would take “some time”.
The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, said the US had the ultimate say in who it accepted under the resettlement deal, subject to its own screening.The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, said the US had the ultimate say in who it accepted under the resettlement deal, subject to its own screening.
He said the Australian government was aware that “people smugglers are trying to pitch to people to pay money to hop on to boats so that they can eventually end up in the US”.He said the Australian government was aware that “people smugglers are trying to pitch to people to pay money to hop on to boats so that they can eventually end up in the US”.