South African farmers: Coalition MPs raise concerns

Coalition MPs have argued that left-wing commentators have misrepresented them, saying that they were themselves guilty of racism.

Julie Bishop and Peter Dutton have had apparent differences in their positions over South African farmers. Picture: Kym Smith

Seven Coalition backbenchers have raised concerns about the persecution of white South African farmers at this morning’s Coalition party room meeting.

A Coalition spokesman said the issue was variously described as “difficult and “unique”, and the high rates of violence and death were noted, but no one called for a special visa category to be created for those affected.

The Australian understands Andrew Hastie, Andrew Laming, Craig Kelly, Jim Molan, Luke Howarth and Steve Irons were among those who spoke.

Several MPs argued that government ministers had been misrepresented by Labor, the Greens and left wing commentators who had accused them of being racist.

They argued that those commentators were in fact guilty of racism, for closing their eyes to persecution because of the colour of the victims’ skin.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton all responded, reportedly highlighting the value of the South African community in Australia, and stating that people do not need to meet the technical definition of a refugee to qualify under elements of Australia’s humanitarian program.

Under the dual stream system, the Home Affairs department can accept referrals of humanitarian visa applicants from families, church groups and other NGOs, as occurred when we accepted 12,000 refugees from Syria recently.

Ms Bishop said this demonstrated there was no need for a new visa category or any changes to Australia’s rules to be able to receive other applications from other circumstances.

She told the meeting Australia’s High Commissioner in South Africa had over a period of time made numerous representations on the question of land reforms and security issues in the region.

Amid apparent differences between the public position taken by Ms Bishop and Mr Dutton over the issue, Ms Bishop reportedly emphasised the “consistency” in her comments and those of Mr Dutton.

Coalition sources said there was broad and loud support for action on the issue, and for Mr Dutton’s advocacy.

“This will not be going away. We gave him a mandate to work a solution up,” one source said.