Media Release

6 JUNE 2017:

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has renewed his push to halt the Federal Government granting visas to people from the Middle East and Northern Africa.

“The LNP/ALP Governments have bought in 850,000 in the past five years – a level of irresponsibility that verges on criminal and makes a mockery of democracy. There might not be 1 per cent of the Australian population who agree but at this rate, pretty soon there will be 10 per cent who agree,” said Mr Katter.

“Anyone who continues to facilitate people from these dangerous and violent countries into Australia must take the blame for what happens here – just as the British and German governments must accept blame for what’s happening there.

“Now our governments will claim, as they do in America, that the Mexicans go home. Quite frankly, they don’t – when they’re here it’s almost impossible to get them out.

“We’ll be moving in the Parliament for no further visas to people from these regions except, of course, persecuted minorities – namely the Sikhs, Jews and Christians. We’ll bring in the persecuted and the ALP / LNP can continue to attempt to bring in the persecutors.

“It’s bad enough we’ve already allowed people from these places steeped in sectarian hatred. And while the majority might be fine, there’s always a percentage who don’t ever seem to become Aussies – in fact their attitude is that we should become one of them!

“With the argument being made that they’re getting even worse once here – through the radicalised second generations – no country can afford to let in people from the Middle East or Northern Africa. Look no further than Saudi Arabia and Dubai for two countries that share my view and will not allow anyone in from the Middle East. ”

Mr Katter said Australia’s Muslim leaders could help by condemning terrorism and the aberration of their faith that fuels this violence.

“It’s not the Islamic religion as such, because I’m not including Albania or Malaysia or Indonesia. But sadly, such violence has been locked into parts of this religion for 1500 years. As a politician, it is with rage that I point out that the people also to blame are those who let them in.

"Meanwhile in Australia, we’ve been handing out visas like confetti to the Middle East and North Africa, and to think not one of them is going to be an ISIS activist… I’d believe the abominable snowman came from Bedourie before I believed that.”