The federal Opposition says social cohesion could be at risk if Labor offers Hamas supporters a safe haven, after the nation’s spy chief said expressing support for the terror group would not automatically disqualify Palestinians from coming to Australia.

On Sunday, ASIO director-general Mike Burgess rejected suggestions corners were being cut on security checks for people fleeing war-torn Gaza, less than a week after he raised the threat level of a terrorist attack in Australia from possible to probable, with local grievances over Israel’s conduct contributing to a volatile security environment.