Australia has barred more than 7,000 Iranian visitor-visa holders from entering the country under a six-month emergency travel ban imposed during the Iran war, reports ABC News. Home affairs minister Tony Burke said visas issued before the conflict might not have been granted today and warned some travellers could overstay if conditions worsened. Critics, including refugee advocates and crossbench MPs, say the blanket measure is unfair, undermines trust in the migration system and leaves travellers in limbo. Limited exemptions may be granted via special travel certificates on a case-by-case basis. Independent MP Zali Steggall is pushing to amend the laws enabling the ban.
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Australia has barred more than 7,000 Iranian visitor-visa holders from entering the country under a six-month emergency travel ban imposed during the Iran war, reports ABC News. Home affairs minister Tony Burke said visas issued before the conflict might not have been granted today and warned some travellers could overstay if conditions worsened. Critics, including refugee advocates and crossbench MPs, say the blanket measure is unfair, undermines trust in the migration system and leaves travellers in limbo. Limited exemptions may be granted via special travel certificates on a case-by-case basis. Independent MP Zali Steggall is pushing to amend the laws enabling the ban.