14 February 2022
THE GUARDIAN: ‘Stroke of a pen’: Coalition urged to accept Afghan refugees in addition to existing intake
Immigration minister previously announced places for Afghan nationals within existing visa program in move critics call ‘mean and tricky’.
The immigration minister, Alex Hawke, has been urged to heed Australia’s “moral obligation” to Afghan nationals fleeing the Taliban by ensuring resettlement places are on top of the existing humanitarian intake.
A delegation of faith groups, veterans’ advocates and members of the Afghan diaspora met with Hawke in Canberra on Monday to implore him to ramp up assistance after 20 years of Australian military involvement in Afghanistan.
It is understood Hawke did not rule out the option of offering additional places for Afghan nationals.
