Revealed: How many visas Australia has cancelled for anti-Semitic conduct

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is being slammed for the department’s failure to cancel visas over anti-Semitic conduct, as new figures reveal just how lax the nation’s leaders have become.

Australia has cancelled fewer than five visas for anti-Semitic conduct since Hamas’ October 7 terror attack in 2023, new figures reveal.

The Coalition has lashed the Albanese government’s response, amid an alarming surge in anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne and Sydney, after making repeated calls for anyone spewing hate speech to have their visa ripped up on character grounds.

Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said despite Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s tough talk, “his visa cancellation pen remains firmly in his desk”.

Victorian Liberal Senator James Paterson says Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is all talk when it comes to cancelling visas over anti-Semitic attacks. Picture: NewsWire

“It’s frankly not credible that as few as one or two visa holders have engaged in anti-Semitic incitement since 7 October given the shocking scenes we have seen in our cities every weekend for 15 months,” Senator Paterson said.

“If Tony Burke doesn’t have the stomach to make tough decisions in the national interest to protect Australians he should step aside for a Minister for Home Affairs who is.”

A Home Affairs Department spokesman said less than five visa cancellations related to anti-Semitic rhetoric or conduct between October 7, 2023 and December 31, 2024.

“Of those cancelled, none of those are currently onshore in Australia,” he said.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was contacted for comment.

Critics of Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke (pictured right) say he doesn’t have the “stomach” to make tough decisions. Picture: NewsWire

Jewish groups last month demanded that Mr Burke explain why Israelis wanting to visit Australia were being required to provide details about their military services, raising concerns it was leading to delays and the rejection of visa applications.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has also questioned why an Islamic teacher, who publicly shared his heartbreak over the death of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on social media, was allowed into the country for a four-day workshop in July.

“At a time when our social cohesion is virtually non-existent and extremists are impacting the lives of ordinary Australians, we need to ensure that those who come to our country will contribute to its greatness not its failings,” co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said.

“It appears that the government is erecting more obstacles for Israeli tourists attempting to travel to Australia to visit their grandkids than for those who have expressed support for listed terror groups and anti-Jewish violence.”

A car has targeted with anti-Semitic graffiti. Picture: Supplied

The Jewish community in Sydney was on Monday left reeling after a car at Queen’s Park in the city’s east was graffitied with the words “f**k the Jews” in another anti-semitic incident.

Anthony Albanese, who condemned the attack, was on Tuesday asked if he was happy with how his government had handled the rise in anti-Semitism.

“We have taken action,” the Prime Minister said.

“We’re addressing in every single way possible these issues because we understand that it is very hurtful for the Jewish community.

“At its worst, what we’ve seen is significant crimes developed, which is why we’ve stood up a special operation jointly between the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, the National Security Agency, and state police authorities as well to make sure that we get that co-ordination so that we can track down anyone committing a crime when it comes to hate-based crime and take action and prosecute them.”