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Clément Canonne
@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.

Clément Canonne
@ccanonne.github.io

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

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?

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Sariel Har-Peled
@sarielhp.bsky.social

The logic seems to be that they might not want to go back to Iran, and might try to stay in Australia. HOW WOULD AUSTRALIA SURVIVE MAYBE 400 REFUGEES???? BTW, Australia and the USA can try and compete in the race to the bottom, but I know several countries already there...

Clément Canonne
@ccanonne.github.io

Yes, that's absurd on its face. If the apocalyptic scenario this policy is meant to prevent is "having <1000 highly motivated, grateful refugees escaping death or persecution to stay in Australia and contribute to the country," I think we have our priorities wrong in many ways.

Sariel Har-Peled
@sarielhp.bsky.social

I assume the unspoken paranoia is that they might have some Iranian agents among them. And Iran has shown no hesitation in conducting terrorist attacks abroad. But the Australian government is too chicken to label 4000 people they gave visas to as terrorists...