Muslim leaders put ‘fair deal for Palestinian refugees’ onus on new minister Tony Burke

Muslim leaders have urged Tony Burke to ensure a ‘fair and consistent process’ for refugees, ensuring as many Palestinians can be resettled ‘as a priority’ and pathways if conditions worsen in Lebanon.

Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke. Picture: Martin Ollman

Muslim leaders have urged new Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke to ensure a “fair and consistent process” for refugees, ensuring as many Palestinians can be resettled “as a ­priority” and potential pathways if conditions worsen in southern Lebanon.

It comes amid escalations in northern Israel, with Anthony ­Albanese on Tuesday urging Australians not to travel to Lebanon.

The Foreign Affairs Department does not track the number of Australians and permanent residents, or their immediate family members, in Lebanon.

Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir said he hoped Mr Burke would enact a more “compassionate” policy.

“The heartbreaking carnage in Gaza deserves additional government support and resettling as many people as possible as a priority,” he said.

It comes after Mr Burke rubbished suggestions from the opposition that he would rubberstamp visas for Palestinians to firm up his western Sydney electorate in the face of The Muslim Vote campaign, adding he would “never hesitate” to reject visas.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister accused Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson of “playing politics” after the senator said Mr Burke’s appointment was more about “Labor’s political standing in southwest Sydney”.

Welcoming the appointment were three peak Muslim bodies: the Australian Nat­ional Imams Council, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, and Lebanese Muslim Association.

Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir. Picture: David Swift

They said Mr Burke had longstanding ties to its leaders and bodies, and knew the community importance of improving the visa process, particularly given the many Muslim residents in his electorate.

ANIC legal affairs adviser Bilal Rauf called Mr Burke a “good appointment”; AFIC chief executive Kamalle Dabboussy said the body looked forward to continuing working with the minister, sentiments echoed by Mr Kheir.

They urged Mr Burke to improve pathways for people fleeing Gaza, potentially Lebanon and – Mr Dabboussy said – women and children in northeast Syria.

“The issue of dealing with refugees is about having a fair and consistent process, ⁠ whether they are from Palestine, Ukraine, Bangladesh or Afghanistan,” Mr Rauf said, criticising how Peter Dutton previously used ministerial powers to grant a visa to an au pair.

Unlike for Afghans and Ukrainians, humanitarian visas have not been offered to Palestinians. Mr Kheir urged the government to improve refugee pathways, particularly for Palestinians and – if hostilities worsened – people in Lebanon.

“As a member of a multicultural seat, Mr Burke will understand the apprehensions felt by new migrants and those seeking asylum,” he said, adding that there was “much more” work needed.

ANIC’s Bilal Rauf. Picture: John Feder

AFIC CEO Kamalle Dabboussy.

“(We expect) he’ll deal with applications equally … not favouring certain groups over others.”

Mr Dabboussy said the AFIC hoped Mr Burke continued to deal with the community with “professionalism and expertise”, considering its views in relevant policy.

“(The portfolios) are a difficult area with issues that will affect communities we work with,” he said.

“Home affairs is not foreign affairs … (but) he’s got this interesting position given he’s the member for (an electorate with) a large Muslim community.”

Mr Dabboussy said “We have confidence in (Mr Burke), but we understand that we’re dealing with the government of the day”.

One of the ALP’s strongest Palestine voices, Mr Burke will have to juggle constituent expectations on immigration and refugees with governmental policy.