Under the former Coalition government, Australia offered humanitarian visas to Ukrainian nationals after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and to Afghan nationals after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021.
The Federal Government confirmed earlier this month that it's examining how it can allow Palestinians who are already in Australia on tourist visas to stay longer but is yet to confirm whether they will have work and study rights and access to Medicare.
At least 39,677 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023, including more than 100 people who were killed by an Israeli airstrike on a school last weekend. At least 20,000 children in Gaza are estimated to be lost, disappeared, detained, trapped under the rubble of bombed out buildings, or buried in mass graves.
Temporary humanitarian visa provisions in no way diminish the need for an immediate and definitive ceasefire, which is the only way to save children's lives in Gaza and end grave and serious violations of their rights.
For Palestinians who have fled Gaza, their right to return whenever they choose must be guaranteed and upheld.
Save the Children Australia CEO Mat Tinkler said Australia should do everything it can to support Palestinian children who are being subjected to horrific violence.
"The Australian Government cannot sit on its hands as the death toll climbs higher. Offering humanitarian visas to Palestinians who want them is not only the humane thing to do but is also a practical way for Australia to protect Palestinian lives," he said.
"Palestinian children arriving in Australia may have lost their homes, lost family members and friends, and may be deeply traumatised by what they've experienced. It's critical that any visa offered to Palestinians ensures that they can access the kind of support and services they need to recover and meet their basic needs until they're able to return home."
Mr Tinkler also called out the double standard by the leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, who told Sky News on Wednesday morning that he does not believe "people should be coming in from [Gaza] at all at the moment."
"It was the previous government, which Mr Dutton was a part of, that provided humanitarian visas to Ukrainian and Afghan nationals. Australia retains the very same security and assessment tools to safeguard Australian citizens, and there's no reason why the same protection can't be extended now to Palestinians," said Mr Tinkler.
"It's time to put the politics aside and help those in need, regardless of their nationality."
