What are the changes on temporary visas? Can particular groups be targeted? And why now?

The Albanese government has rushed through new powers for use during global crises but asylum lawyers say it sends a ‘disturbing’ message Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The Albanese government has hurried through new powers to block some temporary visa holders from travelling to Australia amid global crises. The changes, which were passed on Thursday afternoon less than a week after they were drafted, have been described by the government as crucial to border management. Yes. If signed off by the prime minister and the foreign affairs minister, the home affairs minister can issue an “arrival control determination” suspending temporary visa holders from certain countries for a period of six months. While the ruling applies as a blanket block for anyone falling under the determination’s categories, individuals can get permission to travel to Australia if they can show they remain a “genuinely temporary entrant”. In practice, a power like this could be used to prevent Iranians, issued with tourist visas before the US and Israel struck Tehran, from visiting Australia. The home affairs department’s immig