“There are many visitor visas which were issued before the conflict in Iran which may not have been issued if they were applied for now.
Decisions about permanent stays in Australia should be deliberate decisions of the government, not a random consequence of who had booked a holiday.”
There will be exceptions for the partners and dependent children of Australian citizens and permanent visa holders, as well as the parents of children under 18 who are already in the country, and people who were already en route to Australia before today.
The government said “sympathetic consideration” would also be given parents of Australian citizens.
“This measure gives the government time to assess the situation properly, while still allowing flexibility in limited cases,” the statement said.
Today’s determination was enabled by emergency laws that the Albanese government rushed through parliament earlier this month.
The laws were supported by the Coalition, but criticised by the Greens and several independents.