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@ccanonne.github.io

So Australia is now revoking *existing* tourist visas from Iranian nationals, sending a strong message they're not welcome here. This isn't just insane and objectionable, but also shortsighted. I already have been contacted by academics from North America about our int'l image. Not in a good way.

25/3/26, 7:30 pm10 reposts42 likes

Clément Canonne

@ccanonne.github.io

25 Mar

cc/ @albomp.bsky.social @davidpocock.bsky.social @mehreenfaruqi.bsky.social These academics (Canada) had a good opinion of 🇦🇺 and our unis. No longer. Do we really want to start a race to the bottom with the US? More on this self-defeating policy: minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/TonyBurke/Pa...

minister.homeaffairs.gov.auminister.homeaffairs.gov.au

Clément Canonne

@ccanonne.github.io

26 Mar

To detail a bit what happened: for fear that a (very small number of) Iranian nationals could use a visitor visa to reach Australia and apply for refugee status†, the 🇦🇺 gvt, *out of the blue*, sent an email to 7000 people, *most not even in Iran*, to tell them they revoked the visa they already have

Clément Canonne

@ccanonne.github.io

26 Mar

Basically, you have a visitor visa you have already been vetted for, maybe even already used to visit Australia, you're just chilling at home—and the Australian government goes out of its way to tell you it doesn't like or trust you. †btw, isn't this the intended purpose of that refugee status?

Clément Canonne

@ccanonne.github.io

26 Mar

I would love to hear from @tonyburkemp.bsky.social and @senatorwong.bsky.social about the rationale and intended purpose of doing so. Was there an actual critical reason to do so (backed by numbers, not just "vibes"), or is it (again) a major self-own from the Australia team?