'Unsafe': Barnaby Joyce invokes disaster-hit Nepal to explain One Nation's refugee policy
SBS News
β’Sun, 30 Aug 2026 07:58:14 +0000
π° What Happened
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce suggested on News24 (formerly Sky News) on Sunday that Australia should not accept refugees from countries the government deems unsafe for Australians to visit, invoking flood-hit Nepal - where catastrophic mudslides and flash flooding have killed nearly 700 people, with more than 3,000 still missing including 42 Australians. Joyce declined to confirm whether his party would cut Australia's humanitarian intake from its current 20,000 places per year.
π The Backstory
Joyce's remarks come amid confusion over One Nation's broader immigration policy, after party MP David Farley said last weekend the party's target was not too different from Labor's. Prime Minister Albanese said on Thursday humanitarian placements would remain at 20,000, and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek called that a permanent commitment, after reports suggested the government intended to slash the intake by a third. DFAT's travel advice for Nepal currently encourages a high degree of caution.
π― Why It Matters
Refugee and migration policy is one of the most contested issues in Australian politics, and One Nation's stance could shape the debate as the party's support surges. Tying refugee policy to travel advice also risks penalising people fleeing disaster-struck countries.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce suggested on News24 (formerly Sky News) on Sunday that Australia should not accept refugees from countries the government deems unsafe for Australians to visit, invoking flood-hit Nepal - where catastrophic mudslides and flash flooding have killed nearly 700 people, with more than 3,000 still missing including 42 Australians. Joyce declined to confirm whether his party would cut Australia's humanitarian intake from its current 20,000 places per year.
Joyce's remarks come amid confusion over One Nation's broader immigration policy, after party MP David Farley said last weekend the party's target was not too different from Labor's. Prime Minister Albanese said on Thursday humanitarian placements would remain at 20,000, and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek called that a permanent commitment, after reports suggested the government intended to slash the intake by a third. DFAT's travel advice for Nepal currently encourages a high degree of caution.
Refugee and migration policy is one of the most contested issues in Australian politics, and One Nation's stance could shape the debate as the party's support surges. Tying refugee policy to travel advice also risks penalising people fleeing disaster-struck countries.