The orders, signed on 6 August, come just weeks after the US Supreme Court rejected Trump’s earlier attempt to broadly deny citizenship to children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants and certain temporary visa holders.

The latest directives take a narrower approach. One seeks to identify additional categories of children whom the administration argues are not entitled to birthright citizenship under historical exceptions to the 14th Amendment.

The second order directs the US State Department and Department of Homeland Security to take action against “birth tourism” — the practice of foreign nationals travelling to the United States on non-immigrant visas with the intention of giving birth so their children acquire US citizenship.

Trump has made ending birthright citizenship a major component of his immigration agenda. Speaking after signing the orders, he criticised the Supreme Court’s recent decision, calling it “very unfair” and saying his administration was making adjustments.

The White House said the new measures are intended to protect the “meaning and value” of American citizenship and prevent foreign nationals from exploiting US immigration laws.

Under the birth-tourism order, federal agencies have been directed to develop measures that could include denying visas or entry to people believed to be travelling to the US for the purpose of giving birth. The order also allows for visa revocation and other action against individuals or organisations involved in facilitating such schemes.

The administration argues that birth tourism undermines the integrity of the immigration system by allowing temporary visitors to obtain long-term immigration benefits through their children.

However, the scale of the practice is disputed. Estimates cited by the Migration Policy Institute have put birth tourism at between 22,000 and 26,000 births a year, while government data recorded about 9,600 births in 2024 to mothers with foreign addresses — a small fraction of births in the United States.

The new orders are also likely to face legal challenges.

Trump’s earlier attempt to restrict birthright citizenship was blocked after the Supreme Court ruled in June that the Constitution protects citizenship for nearly everyone born on US soil. The new orders appear designed to test the boundaries of that ruling by relying on historical exceptions and narrower categories of people.

Civil liberties groups have already criticised the latest move. The American Civil Liberties Union said the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship and argued that another executive order cannot change its meaning.

The White House, however, maintains that the Supreme Court recognised historical exceptions to birthright citizenship and that the administration is entitled to enforce those limitations.

The legal battle could therefore shift from Trump’s original broad attempt to end birthright citizenship towards a narrower dispute over which categories of children fall outside the constitutional guarantee.

For immigrant families and foreign nationals, the outcome could have significant implications, particularly for those travelling to the United States on temporary visas and for families with complex immigration circumstances.

The orders mark the latest escalation in Trump’s broader effort to reshape the US immigration system and redefine who qualifies for the rights and privileges associated with American citizenship.

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The posters, part of artist Peter Drew’s long-running Aussie series, feature archival images of non-white Australians from the era of the White Australia Policy and are intended to challenge narrow ideas about who can be considered Australian.

The National Museum of Australia has previously described the series as using archival portraits of people who sought exemptions from the dictation test that applied to non-British migrants entering Australia, while the National Gallery of Victoria says Drew’s work is designed to draw attention to historical and contemporary xenophobia and racism.

Among the people depicted in the series are Indian, Chinese and other non-European Australians who lived in Australia during a period when immigration law was explicitly designed to restrict non-white migration.

One of the posters features Bella Singh, an Indian man whose archival record is held by the National Archives of Australia. Drew’s official site identifies Singh as one of the subjects in the latest Aussie poster series.

The Brisbane posters were altered late last week, with labels including “Indian”, “Chinese” and “not” placed over the word “Aussie”.

The intervention was promoted online by two right-wing activists who described their actions as an attempt to push back against multicultural messaging and said they had “fixed” the posters.

Ms Coffey, the federal Labor member for Griffith, later went to the site and helped remove the added material from the posters.

In a social media post, she thanked members of the public who stopped to assist.

“Thank you to Jacob and Scott for stopping to help and bringing a decent ladder and paint scraper!” she wrote.

“Thanks also to all the people who shouted ‘thank you’ from their cars.”

The action placed Ms Coffey directly in the middle of a broader debate about multiculturalism, national identity and the political use of street art.

Ms Coffey has a longstanding background in anti-racism and reconciliation work. Her official Labor biography says she established Young Australians for Anti Racism and Reconciliation while still at high school, later led Reconciliation SA and worked for more than 13 years with the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.

She was elected as the federal member for Griffith in 2025 and currently represents the inner-south Brisbane electorate in the House of Representatives.

Drew’s Aussie project began in 2016 and has since become one of Australia’s most recognisable street-art campaigns.

The posters generally feature large archival portraits accompanied by the single word “AUSSIE”, deliberately placing people from culturally diverse backgrounds within the visual language of Australian identity.

Drew told the ABC earlier this year that he had revived the project a decade after it first began, saying its purpose remained to challenge assumptions about who belongs in Australia.

The National Museum of Australia has previously exhibited the series, explaining that many of the people depicted had been born in Australia or had lived in the country for years but were still required to obtain exemptions from the dictation test before travelling overseas, because they risked being denied re-entry under the immigration rules of the time.

The dictation test was one of the central mechanisms of the Immigration Restriction Act 1901 and was used as part of the broader White Australia Policy.

Under the system, non-European residents could face barriers to re-entering Australia. These barriers persist even after they have lived and worked there for years.

The historical context is central to Drew’s work.

The posters do not portray migration as a recent phenomenon. Instead, they highlight Indian, Chinese, and other non-European communities in Australia during the early decades of Federation.

Drew says the project was prompted in part by anti-immigration and anti-Muslim sentiment. It aimed to encourage Australians to reconsider assumptions about race and national identity.

The NGV says the work has appeared on walls across Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and regional towns, with the series using historical portraits to confront both past and present racism.

The vandalism in Brisbane has also reignited debate over whether altering political street art should itself be considered political expression.

The activists responsible have presented their actions as satire and political commentary against multiculturalism, rather than racism.

However, critics have viewed the intervention very differently, arguing that replacing the word “Aussie” with ethnic labels sends the message that people of Indian or Chinese heritage cannot fully belong to Australia.

That tension is at the heart of the latest dispute.

For supporters of Drew’s work, the posters make a simple point: Australian identity has never been exclusively white or Anglo-Celtic.

For opponents, the campaign has become a symbol of what they regard as an ideological approach to multiculturalism and Australian history.

Ms Coffey’s decision to personally help restore the posters was therefore more than a clean-up exercise.

It was also a public statement about who she believes belongs within the Australian story.

Her intervention comes at a time when debates over immigration, multiculturalism and national identity have become increasingly prominent in Australian politics.

Drew himself has faced repeated attempts to remove or alter his work.

Last year he attended anti-immigration rallies with new versions of the Aussie posters after previous works had been torn down, saying he intended to keep using the project to challenge nationalist and exclusionary ideas about Australian identity.

In Brisbane, however, the response from passing motorists appeared to be immediate.

According to Ms Coffey, people driving past called out their thanks as she and others removed the material that had been pasted over the posters.

For the Griffith MP, the episode provided a visible demonstration of a position she has advocated since before entering federal politics — that race or ancestry should not determine whether someone is considered Australian.

The restored posters now again carry the message with which Drew intended them to confront passers-by: Aussie.

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Petition EN10273 is currently open for signatures and has recorded 8,209 signatures, with the petition due to close at 11.59 pm AEST on 2 September 2026.

The campaign follows the increase on 1 July 2026 in the application charge for the Subclass 155 and Subclass 157 Resident Return Visas, commonly known as Resident Return Visas (RRVs).

According to the petition, the fee increased from approximately $490–$495 to $1,475 for most applicants — an increase of about $985, or 201 per cent.

An RRV allows eligible Australian permanent residents to return to Australia as permanent residents after the travel facility attached to their original visa has expired.

The petition argues that permanent residents may need an RRV for reasons including visiting family overseas, caring for ageing parents, responding to family emergencies, medical matters or international employment commitments.

“This new fee is excessive, disproportionate and unfair,” the petition states.

It argues that permanent residents have already undergone extensive immigration assessment and have contributed to Australia through employment, taxation, business, education and community participation.

The petition also questions the basis for the size of the increase, arguing that while many visa application charges rose by about 25 per cent, the RRV charge was subject to a much larger targeted increase.

It calls for the Government to publish the evidence used to determine the new fee, including processing-cost data, financial modelling and expected revenue.

The petition is also seeking an independent review of Subclass 155 and Subclass 157 pricing and greater consultation with permanent residents, migrant communities, community organisations and immigration professionals before future major fee increases are introduced.

It further calls for transitional arrangements for people whose travel plans or need for an RRV arose before the fee increase took effect.

The petition argues that families with several permanent residents can face a combined cost running into thousands of dollars when multiple RRVs are required.

The campaign also highlights the timing of the change, arguing that the regulations were registered on 30 June and commenced the following day, leaving affected permanent residents with little time to prepare.

The Department of Home Affairs has defended the increase, saying additional revenue from visa application charge increases will support migration system reform and other Government priorities.

The department has also said the increased RRV charge reflects the importance of permanent residents retaining their eligibility to travel to and live in Australia.

The Government has pointed to Australian citizenship as an alternative for eligible permanent residents who wish to avoid future re-entry requirements and make an ongoing commitment to Australia.

A separate Change.org campaign with more than 37,500 signatures has also been established opposing the fee increase.

With the parliamentary petition remaining open until September, supporters are now seeking further signatures before the matter is considered through the parliamentary petitions process.

The petition does not itself require the Government to reverse the fee, but a strong level of support could increase political attention on the issue at a time when immigration policy and the treatment of migrant communities remain prominent public and political issues.

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The post Permanent migrants petition for reversal of 201% hike in Australian Resident Return Visa fee first appeared on The Australia Today.

As per local media, Ratu Tevita welcomed the expanded Vuvale Union announced in Suva in July but said the requirement for Fijians to obtain a visa before travelling to Australia remained an unresolved issue.

He pointed to the existing arrangement under which Australians can travel to Fiji without obtaining a visa in advance, while Fijian travellers to Australia remain subject to Australia’s visa requirements.

“Vuvale means family, and in our custom, family does not apply at the door.”

Ratu Tevita argued that allowing Fijians to travel to Australia under a more reciprocal arrangement would give greater meaning to the two countries’ expanded “family” relationship.

Ratu Tevita also welcomed Australia’s commitment to allow eligible Fijian students to study at Australian universities under domestic fee arrangements from 2029.

However, he questioned why Fijian families should have to wait another three years.

“Every year between now and then is another year of our families paying international fees they cannot afford.”

The Tui Lau also highlighted the contribution of Fijian workers to the Australian economy, particularly in industries such as horticulture, meat processing and aged care.

He pointed to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, under which more than 5,000 Fijians were reportedly working in Australia in late 2025.

He cited estimates that Fijian workers sent about FJ$145.5 million back to Fiji in the year to June 2025.

Ratu Tevita said Fiji was also investing in the education and training of nurses, teachers and tradespeople whose skills were increasingly being used in Australia.

“If our people are good enough to hold up Australian farms and Australian hospitals today, then our children are good enough to sit in Australian lecture theatres at an Australian fee today, not in three years’ time.”

Speaking after returning from a five-day visit to Australia, Ratu Tevita also welcomed investment announced under Australia’s 2026–27 Budget in roads, airports, water, sanitation and energy infrastructure in Vanua Levu and Taveuni.

However, he questioned why comparable investment was not being directed towards Fiji’s maritime provinces.

His comments come as Australia and Fiji seek to broaden their bilateral relationship beyond traditional security and development cooperation through the expanded Vuvale Union.

The issue of mobility, education and employment remains particularly significant to the relationship, given the large number of Fijians working, studying and living in Australia.

Ratu Tevita Kapaiwai Lutunauga Uluilakeba Mara, widely known as Roko Ului, is the only surviving son of Fiji’s founding Prime Minister and former President, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.

He was installed as the fourth Tui Nayau on Nayau Island on 8 July 2025, marking the first time the chiefly title had been bestowed since 1969.

The installation included traditional rites, church blessings and ceremonies involving clan leaders. He now holds the titles Tui Nayau, Sau ni Vanua o Lau and Tui Lau, affirming his chiefly leadership within the Lau Group.

Ratu Tevita’s call places visa access, education costs and labour mobility at the centre of discussions over what the expanded Vuvale relationship should mean for ordinary Fijian families.

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The post Fiji’s traditional leader calls for visa-free access and domestic student fees in Australia for island nation’s citizens first appeared on The Australia Today.

Hanson’s comments come as Immigration Minister Tony Burke prepares to outline Labor’s revised approach to migration, with the Government expected to retain a net overseas migration target of around 225,000 people a year.

“Tony Burke isn’t cutting migration. He is doubling down on bringing in another million people over the next four years,” Hanson said.

“Labor is lying again.”

Hanson claimed the Government had repeatedly failed to meet its own migration forecasts since coming to office, pointing to a series of figures she said demonstrated repeated blowouts.

She cited an October 2022 forecast of 235,000 against a reported outcome of 538,000, a May 2023 forecast of 315,000 against 429,000, and a May 2024 forecast of 260,000 against 306,000.

Hanson also criticised changes to the Government’s migration projections in 2025. “You just cannot trust Labor,” she said.

“Four budgets. Four promises. Four blowouts.”

Hanson said the issue was not simply the size of the migration numbers but their impact on Australians facing housing and rental pressures.

“And the highest immigration levels in Australia’s recorded history.”

Hanson claimed Labor’s migration increase since taking office was “almost the size of Tasmania” and accused the Government of contributing to rising rents, weaker wage growth and difficulties for younger Australians trying to buy homes. “They already brought in 1.5 million in four years,” Hanson said.

“That’s why your rent exploded, your pay went backwards, and your kids can’t buy a home.”

She also linked migration to pressure on hospitals and other public services. “Labor’s immigration policy has overwhelmed Australia and sent us backwards,” she said.

“Enough is enough. This lying Labor government has got to go.”

The attack comes as Burke prepares to deliver a major speech on immigration after postponing a planned National Press Club address last week.

Government sources have indicated that Labor is not planning a major cut to its headline migration target.

Instead, the Government is expected to focus on the composition and management of migration, including ensuring migration levels are matched with Australia’s capacity to provide housing, infrastructure and essential services.

The 2026 Federal Budget forecast net overseas migration to increase by an additional 20,000 people in 2026–27 before moderating to around 225,000 a year from 2027 to 2030.

The Government is also expected to place greater emphasis on skilled migration and occupations experiencing workforce shortages.

Reported areas of focus include construction, policing and other sectors where Australia faces significant labour demand.

The Government has already adjusted some visa-processing priorities, giving greater priority to onshore applicants working in areas including law enforcement and defence.

Burke has rejected suggestions that the Government has deliberately slowed partner visa processing to suppress migration numbers, arguing that departmental resources need to be directed towards skills Australia urgently requires.

Hanson has earlier called for annual migration to be capped at 130,000 people — substantially below Labor’s reported target of around 225,000.

One Nation has also advocated tighter controls on who can enter Australia and tougher measures against visa overstayers.

The migration debate is increasingly becoming a major political battleground, with the Coalition also pressing Labor to reduce migration levels amid concerns over housing affordability, infrastructure capacity and population growth.

Labor is expected to argue that the focus should be on ensuring migrants have the skills Australia needs and that population growth is supported by appropriate investment in housing and infrastructure.

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The post “Labor is lying again”: Pauline Hanson attacks Tony Burke’s migration plan, warns of one million more arrivals in four years first appeared on The Australia Today.

Immigration Minister Tony Burke is expected to outline Labor’s revised approach to migration in a major speech within the next fortnight, after postponing a planned National Press Club address last week.

As per News24, government sources have indicated that the focus will be on reshaping the migration system rather than reducing the headline number, with greater emphasis on ensuring migration levels are aligned with Australia’s capacity to provide housing, infrastructure and essential services.

It is reported that the 2026 Federal Budget forecast net overseas migration to rise by an additional 20,000 people in 2026–27 before moderating to about 225,000 a year from 2027 to 2030.

The policy comes amid increasing pressure from the Coalition and One Nation, both of which have made migration a central political issue.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for annual migration to be capped at 130,000 places, significantly below Labor’s target. The party has also advocated tighter controls on who can enter Australia and tougher measures against people who overstay their visas.

Labor is instead expected to place greater emphasis on the composition and management of migration, particularly skilled migration.

Sources have indicated to News24 that the proposed changes could include adjustments to family visa settings and a stronger focus on skilled workers in areas such as construction, policing and other occupations facing workforce shortages.

The Government has already altered some visa-processing priorities, giving greater priority to onshore applicants working in areas including law enforcement and defence.

As per report, Burke has also rejected claims that the Government deliberately delayed partner visa applications to suppress migration numbers.

A substantial backlog of partner visa applications has raised concerns about processing times, with Burke previously acknowledging that some applicants had experienced lengthy delays.

He has argued that departmental resources need to be directed towards skills Australia urgently requires.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended Labor’s record, arguing that migration has already moderated substantially from the unusually high levels recorded following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent polling cited by News24 found 46 per cent of Australians believed multiculturalism had been beneficial but was becoming a problem for social cohesion, while 37 per cent said it had served Australia well and 10 per cent said it had not.

Burke’s forthcoming speech is expected to provide a clearer picture of how Labor intends to balance continued migration with growing public concern about housing, infrastructure, workforce needs and social cohesion.

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The post Labor stands firm on 225,000 migration target as Coalition and One Nation call for lower intake first appeared on The Australia Today.

In a video message recorded in Singapore, the veteran Malayalam actor said he was deeply disappointed after failing to receive his Australian visa, describing it as the first time in his nearly five-decade career that he had been unable to obtain a visa for a scheduled performance.

Mohanlal said he did not want to blame anyone for the situation and suggested the delay may have resulted from a technical or clerical issue.

“I am taking all the blame on myself. I am telling you that it is my fault. I am very sorry about it.”

The Sydney event had been planned with a large team, including acclaimed playback singer K S Chithra, who had already travelled to Australia.

Mohanlal said organisers and his team had made extensive efforts to resolve the visa issue and proceed with the show.

“Everyone with me, including K S Chithra, is there. But I don’t know, somehow it happened,” he said.

The actor also apologised to fans who had travelled long distances to attend the performance.

“To each one of you who drove from far away and came to watch this show, I apologise from the bottom of my heart.”

Mohanlal said he was particularly upset because the event had been developed as a special concept and his team had worked hard to bring it to Sydney.

He also promised fans that the show would return to Sydney with the same team.

“I promise that we will come back with the same team and do a wonderful show in front of you.”

The cancellation left organisers facing significant disruption, with performers, crew and audiences already prepared for the Sydney performance.

Mohanlal, who has worked in the Indian film industry for almost 50 years, said he had performed at shows in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Ireland earlier this year.

The actor did not provide details about his visa application, saying he would not go into whether the issue was technical, clerical or potentially related to an AI-generated error. He ended his Instagram message by again expressing regret to Sydney audiences and asking them to accept his apology.

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The post Indian superstar Mohanlal’s Sydney show cancelled after Australian visa delay first appeared on The Australia Today.

It is reported by Awaaz that Itwinder Singh, who worked at leading thoroughbred trainer Stephen McKee’s Takanini racing operation from 2010 to 2020, had his compensation for humiliation, loss of dignity and injury to feelings increased from $8,000 to $15,000 by the Employment Court.

The decision follows an earlier ruling by the Human Rights Review Tribunal, which in 2024 awarded Singh $10,000 after finding he had been subjected to repeated racial harassment at work.

The tribunal found Singh’s Indian identity, accent and language were repeatedly mocked, with evidence that workers were discouraged from speaking Hindi among themselves, including during breaks.

The tribunal found McKee had imitated Singh’s accent and made comments that were racially offensive, including telling Indian workers to speak English and making remarks comparing wages to “rupees”.

McKee denied mocking Singh’s accent and disputed some allegations, describing some comments as workplace “banter”. However, the tribunal preferred Singh’s evidence, describing him as a consistent and measured witness.

The tribunal found McKee’s explanation that English-only rules were needed for safety reasons was not convincing, noting some workers had limited English skills when they joined the stable and required interpreters.

It is reported that Singh later raised concerns about the alleged treatment in writing. The tribunal found the behaviour stopped after his complaint and McKee later apologised for one remark.

In 2020, Singh was made redundant. While he alleged the decision was retaliation for raising workplace concerns, this was not proven. However, the Employment Relations Authority found the redundancy process was procedurally and substantively unjustified, with inadequate consultation and insufficient evidence supporting the restructure.

Singh challenged only the amount of compensation, arguing the impact on him had been greater. The Employment Court found his distress was worsened by losing his job after a decade of service and increased the payment to $15,000.

Singh, now 53, migrated to New Zealand in 2003 after training as a mechanical engineer in India and working in the merchant navy. He later studied physics and had hoped to pursue aerospace engineering.

After years spent pursuing his employment and human rights claims, Singh now works as an Uber driver and in stocktaking. Explaining why he continued his legal fight, Singh said:

“How can you, you know, let people get away with treating you like you’re nothing?”

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Speaking to News24, Hanson said Australia should prioritise migrants with skills that address workforce shortages, including doctors, nurses, engineers and tradespeople.

“We don’t need any more Uber drivers, nail technicians, dog walkers,” Hanson said.

“Why bring in so many people that don’t fit the needs that we want in Australia?”

She argued Australia was struggling to cope with current migration levels, saying high population growth was placing increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure and essential services.

“At the moment, we are overwhelmed. We need to have a breather.”

The Federal Government’s 2026–27 permanent Migration Program remains set at 185,000 places, with around 132,240 places allocated to skilled migration, representing approximately 71 per cent of the intake. A further 52,460 places are reserved for family visas, while 300 places are allocated to special eligibility cases.

Despite the program’s emphasis on skilled migration, Hanson claimed Australia was still failing to attract enough workers into industries facing acute shortages.

She pointed to the construction sector, arguing too few migrants were entering building trades needed to help address the nation’s housing shortage. “Only 1,800 were in the construction industry,” Hanson claimed.

Hanson also criticised Australia’s international student settings, questioning why some overseas students are permitted to bring family members with them while studying.

“You’re here to study. If you don’t want to be away from your partner or family, do an online course,” she said.

“But no, they’re allowed to bring in their families. That’s a strain on our infrastructure.”

While advocating a lower permanent migration intake, Hanson said she would continue to support temporary migration streams such as backpackers and seasonal workers.

“We would still allow for backpackers, those workers coming to Australia, those ones that will be here for a short period of time.”

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The post ‘No more Uber drivers’: Pauline Hanson targets international students, supports backpackers and seasonal workers first appeared on The Australia Today.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s cancelling of his big speech on migration that had been scheduled for delivery at the National Press Club on Thursday was embarrassing but also revealing.

Obviously, Burke was unable to finish the work on time. He didn’t want to deliver a speech with glaring holes that had to be filled later. Reportedly, there were arguments when the policy outline was discussed by cabinet ministers on Monday.

One thing the delay tells us is just how hard it is to put together a good migration policy. Remember, the government commissioned an expert review of migration, led by former senior bureaucrat Martin Parkinson, undertaken soon after it won office. It was concluded in early 2023. Yet that blueprint was not effectively implemented by then home affairs minister Clare O’Neil and then immigration minister Andrew Giles.

What this week’s toing and froing also signals is that the government knows making more drastic changes to immigration to bring it under control is now a strong political imperative.

For some time, Labor could push back against the Coalition over immigration – the opposition has only partially released its own policy – and attack One Nation’s ultra hard line. But those tactics only divert attention for so long.

The government’s medium term objective is to reduce the Net Overseas Migration (NOM) number to an annual 225,000, way below the present level of around 300,000. The NOM is “the net gain or loss of population through international migration to and from Australia”. (The NOM has its technical limitations as a measure, but that’s another story.)

Net overseas migration, for years ending 30 June

Particularly given Labor’s increasing concern that One Nation could erode its vote, it has to match the NOM projections it has set out in the budget, while doing it in a way that meets the reasonable needs of central stakeholders as well as those of the economy generally.

Government sources stress the NOM projections are Treasury forecasts based on current settings. (It is notable that past forecasts have been greatly exceeded.) They say the Burke overhaul is not about new cuts to the budget’s NOM. But it is about re-tuning the system with the aim of delivering those projections.

According to budget figures, for the financial year just ended, 2025-26, the NOM was estimated to be 295,000. The projected number for 2026-27 is 245,000. For the 2025 calendar year, the NOM was 301,000.

The overall NOM number is a centre of public attention but the program is replete with problems and challenges. And cuts will in some cases bring negative consequences.

• We are getting fewer skilled migrants than ideally we require, especially for the construction sector. Those we do get are not used most effectively because, in part, of bottlenecks in having qualifications recognised in an easy and timely way. Parkinson has recently urged this qualifications issue be addressed urgently.
• Unskilled migrants are needed for the labour shortages in the care economy, especially in aged care, so cuts that reduce these numbers will eat into a vital workforce.
• The overseas student intake has already been pared back but further reductions would need to take into account the needs of the higher education sector and also the fact that international education is one of Australia’s major exports.
• Horticulture, agriculture and other rural industries need temporary imported labour, so curbs here, for example to limit the number of backpackers, can mean not enough workers to pick the fruit. Backpackers are also a staple for the tourist industry. On another front, an ABC Four Corners program this week highlighted abuses in the treatment of some temporary migrants under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program. The government says it has spent a lot of money to protect such workers but obviously more action is required.
• One way of helping reduce the migration number is delaying family reunions, but this leads to distressingly long waits. There is already a huge backlog of spouse applications. (The Migration Act actually prohibits capping of spouse and dependent child visas.)

Abul Rizvi, immigration expert and former government official, says

The three key questions Burke needs to be able to answer are:

Why is 225,000 the right long-term NOM target when he said last year that there was no magic number’ and that long-term migration planning would restrict the government’s flexibility?

How can we be sure the changes the government is now proposing will be sufficient to get net migration sustainably down to 225,000?

What are the consequences of the proposed changes in terms of both impact on various industries and communities?

Rizvi also points out that reducing net immigration “in any sensible way” has significant lags in implementation, impact and publication of outcomes. “The government has left things very late.”

Burke’s office says his speech is expected to be rescheduled in the next fortnight. Apart from anything else, this will give the prime minister, presently on holidays, time for a careful look at the final version.

Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu remain on the list of countries affected under the United States’ Visa Bond Program, which was first introduced as a pilot in August 2025 to reduce visa overstays.

The United States Department of State said the programme would continue to apply to certain business and tourist visa applicants from countries identified as having high visa overstay rates or deficiencies in identity verification, information sharing and travel document security.

Under the new rules, eligible applicants may be required to lodge a refundable bond of US$10,000, US$15,000 or up to US$20,000 before being granted a B1/B2 visitor visa. The previous US$5,000 bond option has been removed, while the maximum bond has increased from US$15,000 to US$20,000.

According to the federal notice, consular officers may require a bond from applicants from designated countries where there are concerns about visa compliance, screening and vetting standards, or the security of civil and travel documents.

The US Government said the programme had proved to be “an effective tool for reducing overstayers” and would now become a permanent feature of its visa system.

The programme affects more than 50 countries, most of them in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

The final rule is scheduled to take effect following its publication in the US Federal Register, formalising the visa bond requirement for affected countries.

While the bond is refundable if travellers comply with the conditions of their visa and depart the United States on time, critics have argued the policy creates an additional financial barrier for legitimate visitors.

The United States has not announced any exemption for the five Pacific Island nations included in the programme.

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Authorities said the scammers may present fake documents claiming to be from the department and attempt to convince residents that they are conducting official government checks.

The individuals may request:

• Personal information or identity documents
• Biometric information, including fingerprints or photographs
• Money or financial details

The Department of Home Affairs stressed that genuine Home Affairs officers do not visit people’s homes to collect photographs, fingerprints or other biometric information.

“If a community member receives a suspicious visit, call, email, or message claiming to be from the Department of Home Affairs, they should report it to Scamwatch,” the department said in a community alert.

Residents are urged not to provide any information, make payments or allow unknown people claiming to be government officials into their homes.

The department advised community members to:

• Verify any unexpected contact claiming to be from Home Affairs
• Avoid sharing personal or financial details
• Report suspicious approaches to local authorities and Scamwatch

The warning comes amid broader concerns about scams targeting multicultural communities, particularly those involving immigration, visas and government services.

Criminals often exploit people’s concerns about their residency status, citizenship applications or legal obligations by pretending to represent official agencies.

The Department of Home Affairs has encouraged anyone who receives suspicious communication or a visit from someone claiming to be a government officer to report it through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Scamwatch service at www.scamwatch.gov.au.

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The post Fake Home Affairs officers knock on doors, Australians warned of new immigration scam first appeared on The Australia Today.

As per Awaaz, the Immigration and Protection Tribunal (IPT) found that the Indian citizen, who is in his mid-20s, did not face a real risk of persecution if returned to India despite attending a non-binding Khalistan referendum event in Auckland in 2024, voting in the referendum and joining a protest outside the Indian High Commission in Wellington.

The tribunal said there was no evidence that Indian authorities were aware of his activities or had shown any interest in him.

The man had also shared support for pro-Khalistan pages online and was photographed holding a Khalsa flag and a placard during a protest. However, the tribunal found his social media presence was limited and did not place him in a category considered at risk.

The decision distinguished his case from earlier successful appeals involving individuals with more extensive pro-Khalistan activism, including stronger online profiles, long-term advocacy and other evidence that could attract official attention.

The man had claimed he feared targeting in Punjab due to his political views and alleged previous threats from individuals he believed were linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Further, he also alleged he had been allegedly assaulted after a Sikh rally.

However, the tribunal found that while the past incidents were concerning, they did not demonstrate a continuing risk of serious harm. It noted that he continued living in the same area for months after the alleged incidents without further problems, and his family had not experienced difficulties since he left India.

The tribunal also ruled that he could safely relocate within India, including to major cities with significant Sikh populations such as Amritsar, Ludhiana or Jalandhar.

It rejected arguments that a nationwide political network could locate and harm him, saying there was insufficient evidence to support such claims.

The tribunal concluded that the risk of future persecution was “remote and speculative” and dismissed his applications for refugee protection under the Refugee Convention, the Convention Against Torture and international human rights protections.

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Rehmat Pasha, 37, helped move injured people to safety and assisted emergency workers for almost three hours after two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025.

The permanent residency decision was publicly revealed by Mr Pasha during a recent visit to Hyderabad. He said Immigration and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had personally informed him that he would receive permanent residency.

Applications involving his wife and three children, who remain in India, are also reportedly being processed. The Australia Today could not locate a public statement from the Department of Home Affairs or Mr Burke’s office confirming the individual visa decision at the time of publication.

Mr Pasha moved to Australia in 2021 after studying hospitality and was supporting his family by undertaking various jobs, including driving passengers in Sydney.

He said he had just dropped off a passenger near Bondi Beach when he heard a series of loud noises. Initially believing they were fireworks, he stepped out of his vehicle and saw two gunmen firing from a pedestrian bridge about 100 metres away.

As hundreds of people attempted to escape, Mr Pasha said he made a split-second decision to remain at the scene and help those who had been shot.

He first attempted to stop the bleeding of a man suffering a serious neck wound. When the man could not be saved, Mr Pasha continued moving between victims, pulling injured people behind trees, benches and other structures to protect them from further gunfire.

Mr Pasha estimates he assisted between 18 and 20 people during the attack and its immediate aftermath, including civilians, police officers and a wounded rabbi.

The December attack targeted hundreds of Jewish Australians gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea celebration. Fifteen victims were killed and 41 people, including four children and two police officers, were taken to hospital.

One gunman, a 50-year-old man, was shot dead by police. His 24-year-old son survived and was subsequently charged by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team over the attack. Australian authorities described the shooting as an antisemitic terrorist attack.

Mr Pasha’s efforts came amid numerous acts of courage by police officers, paramedics, health workers and members of the public who placed themselves in danger to protect others.

Waverley Council later recognised Ahmed al-Ahmed, Gefen Bitton and Leibel Lazaroff for their actions during the attack. Mr al-Ahmed confronted and disarmed one of the alleged gunmen, while Mr Bitton and Rabbi Lazaroff also placed themselves at risk while attempting to stop the violence and assist victims.

Mr Pasha’s actions were brought to the attention of the Department of Home Affairs by immigration lawyer Abdul Syed Javeed, founder of the Indian Youth Committee of Australia.

The Times of India reported that Mr Pasha received financial assistance, medical treatment and counselling following the attack. He has also reportedly been nominated for a government bravery award, while the ride-share company he worked with has recognised his actions.

The cap he was wearing while assisting victims is also expected to be preserved for display at a Sydney museum, according to the report.

Despite the recognition and reported permanent residency grant, Mr Pasha said the psychological consequences of what he witnessed remain severe.

He was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and was temporarily assessed as unable to return to work. He continues to experience disrupted sleep, nightmares and memories of wounded people and frightened children.

“People say my life has changed for the better. But images from that day still haunt me,” he said.

Mr Pasha remains in contact with several survivors and their families, some of whom invite him to community gatherings and prayer meetings.

His story has received attention in both Australia and India, presenting a powerful account of an ordinary migrant worker who chose to help strangers during one of the darkest moments in Australia’s recent history.

It also provides a reminder that the impact of terrorism extends beyond those who are physically injured. Bystanders, first responders and volunteers who witness mass-casualty attacks can continue carrying serious psychological injuries long after the immediate emergency has ended.

The Australian and NSW governments established support arrangements for people physically or psychologically affected by the attack, including victims, bereaved families and others directly exposed to the violence.

For Mr Pasha, permanent residency may provide security and the prospect of reuniting his family in Australia. But his account also shows that formal recognition cannot erase the trauma of the lives lost, the victims he tried to save and the scenes he continues to remember.

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The move brings an end to weeks of disruption for thousands of Indian nationals, Australian travellers and members of the Indian-Australian community after services were suspended following a legal dispute over the outsourcing contract.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the High Commission of India in Canberra confirmed that VFS Global will once again serve as the authorised provider for Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) services across Australia.

The new ICAC network will operate from upgraded facilities in:

• Adelaide: Suite 8.01, Level 8, 111 Gawler Place, Adelaide SA 5000
• Brisbane: Suite 0201, Level 2, 127 Creek Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000
• Canberra: Level 6, 40 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601
• Melbourne: Ground Floor, 324 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
• Perth: Ground Floor, 23 Barrack Street, Perth WA 6000
• Sydney: Level 9, 22–24 Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000

According to the High Commission, the centres have been established with upgraded facilities and infrastructure to cater to current demand while improving service delivery for applicants across Australia.

All centres will operate Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm, excluding Australian public holidays and holidays observed by the High Commission of India or the respective Consulates General.

Applicants have been encouraged to book appointments online before visiting the centres.

The announcement provides long-awaited clarity for applicants whose travel plans, passport renewals and visa applications were thrown into uncertainty after VFS operations were halted earlier this month.

The suspension followed a Delhi High Court ruling concerning the Ministry of External Affairs’ tender process for outsourcing consular services, prompting the temporary cessation of services in Australia while legal proceedings continued.

Wednesday’s announcement confirms that VFS Global has resumed operations under the new arrangement and will once again provide passport, visa and other consular services on behalf of the Government of India.

The High Commission also reminded applicants that VFS Global is the only authorised service delivery provider for Indian passport, visa and consular services in Australia.

People seeking appointments or further information can access the online booking system through VFS Global’s Australia portal.

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A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana refused to interfere with the High Court judgment covering the Indian missions in Canberra, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Singapore. The court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to conduct a fresh tender process as quickly as possible, preferably within three months.

The Supreme Court, however, modified the High Court’s directions to give the ministry greater flexibility to maintain services during the new tender process.

The MEA and Engineers India Limited may temporarily engage the successful L-1 contractors whose awards were set aside, provided their performance is satisfactory, continue with suitable existing arrangements, or appoint another agency considered capable of providing the services. An L-1 bidder is generally the lowest-priced bidder among those that have qualified through the technical assessment.

The court said any interim appointment would be temporary, would not create special rights in favour of the service provider and would remain subject to the result of the fresh tender process.

The ruling is potentially important for Australians and Indian Australians who have been unable to access routine outsourced Indian passport, visa and consular services since VFS Global announced a temporary suspension from July 1.

The court has now provided a clear legal pathway for the Indian government to appoint an interim operator and restore services without waiting for the entire tender process to be completed.

However, the judgment does not by itself reopen an application centre, restore cancelled appointments or confirm when passport, visa, OCI and other applications will again be accepted in Australia.

That will require an operational decision and public announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs, the High Commission of India in Canberra, India’s consulates or the agency selected to provide interim services.

Applicants should therefore not treat the court ruling as confirmation that normal services have already resumed. In practical terms, the legal obstacle to a temporary arrangement has been removed, but the responsibility now sits with the MEA to implement the order and tell the public where and when applications can be lodged.

During the Supreme Court hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union Government, argued that the Delhi High Court had wrongly interfered with the tender evaluation.

He said the bids had been assessed according to the individual competence of each bidder and the different operational requirements of the four overseas missions. The government also offered to produce the original tender records that it said had previously been placed before the High Court in a sealed cover.

The Solicitor General argued that the cancellation had affected the functioning of Indian diplomatic missions, with officials being required to divert attention from their normal responsibilities to manage passport and visa services.

He sought permission to return to the Delhi High Court with additional reasons supporting the assessment process and indicated the government may again approach the Supreme Court if it remained dissatisfied.

The Supreme Court was not persuaded.

Chief Justice Surya Kant told the government:

“But you invited the High Court order by not giving grounds.”

Justice Bagchi also questioned whether the government was attempting to introduce an interpretation of the tender conditions after the assessment had already taken place. He observed that tender requirements could not be changed after the procurement process had commenced.

The case followed a July 15 judgment by Delhi High Court Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Shail Jain in seven petitions brought by unsuccessful bidders E Trav Tech Limited and Verasys Limited.

The companies had participated in tenders for outsourcing Consular, Passport and Visa services at the four Indian missions but were eliminated during the technical assessment because they failed to obtain the minimum qualifying score of 70 per cent.

E Trav received 62.2 marks for its Australian proposal, while Verasys received 61.25. Their financial bids were consequently excluded from the final assessment.

The companies challenged the scoring after the MEA disclosed a parameter-by-parameter breakdown of the marks following an earlier Supreme Court direction.

They argued that marks had been deducted without proper explanations, undisclosed comparative standards had been applied, and substantially similar proposals received different scores in different countries.

The Delhi High Court found that merely supplying numerical marks without explaining the reasons for deductions did not demonstrate proper consideration of the proposals or allow bidders to understand why they had been found deficient.

The High Court also rejected the argument that deficiencies may have been explained during oral presentations to the technical committees.

It said any shortcomings identified during presentations should have been recorded in the assessment documents, finding that the absence of contemporaneous reasons made the evaluation opaque and prevented meaningful scrutiny.

The judges found the process breached transparency requirements under India’s General Financial Rules and provisions of the tender requiring unsuccessful bidders to be informed why they had been disqualified.

The court concluded that the marks were affected by “arbitrariness, irrationality and lack of transparency”, making the evaluations unsustainable under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. It cancelled the technical evaluations and the resulting contract awards.

The financial difference between the bids was also raised as a public-interest issue.

Court documents show E Trav said it had quoted a service fee of AUD 38 for the Australian contract, compared with the successful bid of AUD 114. Its proposed fees were also lower than the successful bids for Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Singapore.

The High Court did not rule that E Trav was entitled to the contract simply because its price was lower. The company had still been required to pass the technical assessment.

The court instead found that excluding a lower-priced bidder through an arbitrary or unexplained technical evaluation could affect public finances and was therefore not merely a private commercial dispute between competing companies.

The High Court initially ordered the MEA to issue fresh requests for proposals within one month and permitted the existing incumbent providers to continue so the public would not face disruption.

The Supreme Court has maintained the requirement for a fresh and lawful procurement process but expanded the range of temporary arrangements available to the government. It has also given the MEA a broader three-month period to complete the process.

Senior advocates representing private parties told the Supreme Court they did not object to temporary arrangements being made to prevent interruptions to consular services.

The bench consequently placed continuity of public services at the centre of its modified order while ensuring that no interim provider gains an advantage in the new tender.

For applicants in Australia, the ruling is more useful than the earlier legal developments because it expressly empowers the ministry to act immediately.

The MEA does not need to wait three months before restoring services. It may engage an interim provider while the new tender is prepared, advertised, assessed and awarded.

But the court has given the government an option—not implemented the option on its behalf.

Until the High Commission, the consulates or an authorised service provider confirms that applications and appointments have resumed, Indian citizens needing passport renewals and Australians requiring regular visa services may continue to face uncertainty.

The Supreme Court has now settled the central legal dispute by allowing the Delhi High Court judgment to stand. The tender awards remain cancelled, the assessment must be conducted again, and the government cannot rely on unexplained scoring to preserve the earlier outcome.

The immediate test is no longer what the courts will decide. It is how quickly the Ministry of External Affairs uses the flexibility granted by the Supreme Court to restore accessible passport, visa and consular services in Australia.

Note: The Australia Today has reached out to both MEA and the High Commission of India; we will update the story as soon as we get a response.

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In an exclusive interview with NDTV following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Australia, Burke acknowledged reports of racial slurs, harassment and death threats being directed at Indian truck drivers through workplace channels, including CB radio communications used by freight operators.

“It is a grim reality,” Burke said, outlining a two-part response focused on both practical protections and public messaging against racism.

The minister said the government had invested in dedicated migrant worker support centres operating in every Australian capital city to help visa holders facing exploitation, discrimination and workplace abuse.

Burke said migrant workers often hesitate to approach government agencies directly because of concerns about their visa status or possible retaliation from employers.

“We have made a very significant investment in centres dedicated to the rights of migrant workers,” he said, adding that many workers prefer to initially report issues “in a quiet way”.

He also highlighted reforms designed to protect workers who report exploitation, ensuring employers cannot use visa cancellation threats as a form of retaliation.

“If that’s the scenario, you have no power,” Burke said, describing the previous system as leaving vulnerable workers with limited options.

The comments follow growing concerns among Indian-origin truck drivers about racist abuse on Australian roads.

Earlier this year, ABC News reported cases of Indian truck drivers experiencing repeated harassment, including being abused for speaking Punjabi, targeted over their turbans and subjected to hateful messages through truck radio communications.

One driver said he was spat on at a South Australian truck stop while speaking Punjabi with his wife on the phone.

Other drivers reported being called racist slurs and receiving threats over CB radio, with some saying the abuse had become so severe that they avoided using the communication system while driving.

“A good Indian is a dead Indian,” says one radio user.

“There’s a civil war coming. We’re going kill all the f***ing male Indians, were going to drown all the f***ing kids and sell all the women …”

“You filthy Indian c**** wouldn’t f***ing stand up to a f***ing white man, the f***in p**fters.”

Burke said racism against Indian Australians and other migrant communities had no place in the country.

“There have been some politicians who have made some horrific comments about the Indian community,” he said, adding that Australia must “stand firm in solidarity” against attempts to divide communities.

Without naming individuals, Burke criticised sections of the political right, including Liberal, National and One Nation figures, accusing some politicians of encouraging Australians to turn against each other.

“I hope that those three right-wing parties over time walk back from that.”

Burke said Australia had never been a monocultural nation and compared multicultural society to an orchestra where different communities contribute to a shared harmony.

“We’re like an orchestra. There are a whole lot of different instruments, but they play in harmony together.”

Indian Australians are one of the country’s fastest-growing migrant communities, with many working across critical sectors including transport, healthcare, technology and small business.

In 2024, the International Road Transport Union estimated Australia was short about 28,000 heavy vehicle drivers, as veteran drivers retired and few Australian-born young people took their place.

Burke said combating racism and protecting migrant workers was essential to maintaining Australia’s social cohesion and ensuring all communities feel safe and valued.

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Councils say the Department of Home Affairs has encouraged them to increase ceremony capacity as waiting lists grow across the country.

Independent NSW Upper House MP Rod Roberts has accused the government of trying to “mint new voters”, claiming the push to clear the backlog may provide Labor with an electoral advantage.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said his council had recently been contacted by the department about conducting more ceremonies, while Cumberland councillor Steve Christou said the number and size of local ceremonies had increased in recent years.

But increasing the number of ceremonies is not, by itself, evidence of electoral manipulation.

Citizenship applicants must meet eligibility requirements, complete the application process, pass relevant checks and receive formal approval before being invited to a ceremony. The pledge is the final legal step before citizenship is conferred.

These are not people being handed citizenship at the entrance to a polling booth. They are approved applicants who have already spent years living, working, paying taxes and building their lives in Australia.

Once the government has determined that a person qualifies to become an Australian citizen, there is little justification for leaving them in an administrative queue for an extended period simply because councils do not have enough ceremony dates.

Citizenship brings the right to vote, but it also carries broader responsibilities and opportunities. New citizens can apply for an Australian passport, seek some government positions, represent Australia internationally and participate fully in the civic life of the country they have chosen as their home.

Delaying those rights after an application has been approved should not be treated as an acceptable feature of the system.

The Department of Home Affairs said it regularly works with councils to assess ceremony capacity, sharing monthly information about approved applicants waiting to take the pledge and expected future approvals.

That appears to be the department doing what the public should expect it to do: identifying a service backlog and asking delivery partners to increase capacity.

If a council has hundreds or thousands of approved applicants waiting, conducting additional ceremonies is a practical response. It is no different from adding appointments to address delays in passports, licences, healthcare or other government services.

The political debate has intensified because every new citizen aged 18 or over is generally required to enrol to vote. Critics argue that governments may benefit from holding large ceremonies shortly before an election, particularly in electorates with substantial migrant populations.

Earlier criticism focused on ceremonies at Sydney Olympic Park, where about 4,500 people became citizens before the previous federal election. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was accused of turning the events into political opportunities, a claim he rejected.

Questions about political appearances, invitations and the use of ceremonies for campaigning are legitimate. Ministers should not use citizenship events as partisan rallies, exclude elected representatives for political reasons or imply that new citizens owe their loyalty to the government of the day.

However, those concerns are separate from whether approved applicants should receive timely ceremonies.

The suggestion that new citizens will automatically vote for Labor because a Labor government processed their citizenship is also patronising.

New Australians are not a single political bloc. They hold different views on the economy, migration, religion, education, national security and social policy. They vote for Labor, the Coalition, the Greens, independents and minor parties according to their own priorities.

To suggest they will feel obliged to “repay” the government with their vote diminishes their independence and treats citizenship as a political transaction rather than a legal status they have earned.

It also risks sending an unfortunate message: that migrants are welcome to work, pay taxes and contribute to Australia, but their citizenship should be delayed if their participation in democracy might produce an inconvenient electoral outcome.

The appropriate response is transparency, not slower service.

The government should publish clear data showing the number of approved applicants awaiting ceremonies, average waiting times, council capacity and how additional ceremonies are allocated. Ministers should follow consistent rules when attending ceremonies, and all eligible local representatives should be treated fairly.

But none of those safeguards requires Australia to keep qualified applicants waiting unnecessarily.

Record migration and growing application numbers place pressure on the citizenship system, just as they place pressure on housing, infrastructure and public services. Governments must be held accountable for whether migration settings are sustainable.

Yet people who have already followed the rules should not become collateral damage in that debate.

If the citizenship backlog is approaching the hundreds of thousands, as critics claim, that is an argument for more ceremonies, not fewer.

The government has a responsibility to process applications properly, protect the integrity of citizenship and ensure every applicant meets the law. It also has a responsibility to deliver the final service within a reasonable time once those requirements have been fulfilled.

Citizenship ceremonies should never be exploited for partisan advantage. But clearing a backlog of approved future Australians is not inherently suspicious.

It is simply the government providing a service when it is needed.

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Behind the official lunch hosted for Prime Minister Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Melbourne’s Sofitel Hotel on 9 July was Melbourne-based chef Ujjwal Sarin, better known as Chef Sarin, who was called in at the last minute to prepare the vegetarian menu for the two leaders and dozens of senior officials.

Chef Sarin, who owns Oye Bombay in Altona, said he received the unexpected call from his mentor, Sofitel Melbourne Executive Chef John Savage, while preparing for dinner service at his restaurant on the evening of 8 July.

“John Savage barely made the offer before I handed dinner service over to my staff and rushed to the Sofitel,” Chef Sarin recalled.

With Prime Minister Modi known for following a strict vegetarian diet, the menu required careful planning and authentic preparation.

“I was the main cook, and John Savage and his team helped while I directed the kitchen,” he said.

Chef Sarin explained that authenticity was the highest priority.

“They wanted us to provide very authentic Indian flavours,” he said.

To achieve that, he prepared fresh spice blends rather than relying on pre-mixed seasonings.

“These people were coming from India, so I wanted to provide that special flavour for them.”

By Thursday morning, the dishes were ready before Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Albanese and around 60 delegates from both countries arrived for the diplomatic luncheon.

Chef Sarin described the extraordinary security arrangements surrounding the event.

“There were ADF personnel with machine guns and sniffer dogs,” he said, adding that he only caught a glimpse of both leaders from a distance.

The biggest reward came afterwards when he heard the food had been well received.

“I heard the Paneer Butter Masala was a big hit,” he said with a smile.

For Chef Sarin, however, the experience was about far more than cooking for two world leaders.

“It’s not about the money. To do that function successfully was satisfying for me,” he said.

“Australia and India are both my countries, so to cook for the leaders of my countries was a big pleasure.”

The luncheon formed part of Prime Minister Modi’s three-day official visit to Australia from 8–10 July, centred in Melbourne, where he also addressed more than 30,000 members of the Indian diaspora at Marvel Stadium alongside Prime Minister Albanese.

During that address, Modi used food as a metaphor for the India–Australia relationship, saying that while milk, vegetables and lentils may come from Australia, tea and spices remain unmistakably Indian.

The comments resonated with many Indian-Australians who have built lives in Australia while maintaining strong cultural traditions — a philosophy Chef Sarin says was reflected in the meal served during one of the most significant diplomatic engagements of the visit.

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As per Awaaz, the tribunal acknowledged country information showing an “increasing level of hostility towards Muslims” in India. However, it found that the evidence did not demonstrate that all Muslims faced a real risk of persecution or serious harm.

“In fact, the country information indicated that most Muslims are able to live their lives free from harm or significant discrimination,” the tribunal said.

The 35-year-old Indian citizen arrived in New Zealand on a visitor visa in April 2023 and applied for refugee and protected-person status three months later. His application was rejected by the Refugee Status Unit in April 2025 before he appealed the decision.

The tribunal dismissed his appeal on 1 May 2026, finding that his claim met the high threshold of being “manifestly unfounded”.

The man told the tribunal that he feared returning to India because of his previous involvement in social work for an Islamist political party that was later banned by the Indian government.

He claimed he had been targeted by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), alleging that supporters of the organisation attacked his brother at the family home in October 2025 and later threatened his family.

The tribunal accepted that local RSS members could pose a threat to him if he returned to his former area of residence. However, it found that the risk was “highly localised” and that he could safely relocate to other parts of India.

The tribunal identified major cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai as places where the man could live safely, noting their large Muslim populations and access to wider community networks.

Because the tribunal found he had the option of relocating internally within India, it concluded that New Zealand’s refugee-protection obligations were not engaged.

The man also lodged a humanitarian appeal against his deportation, arguing that he had established strong connections in New Zealand, was a valued employee and could continue contributing to the country.

His employer described his specialist production role as “operationally critical” and warned that his departure could disrupt business operations. Immigration records showed he earned more than $60,000 and paid more than $12,000 in tax in the year to May 2026.

However, the tribunal found that his employment, friendships and community ties did not amount to exceptional humanitarian circumstances warranting permission to remain.

The deportation appeal was also declined, but the tribunal granted him a seven-month work visa to allow time for an orderly departure, including arranging accommodation and employment options in India and giving his employer time to adjust.

The ruling comes amid broader international discussions around religious freedom, minority rights and migration pathways, with refugee decisions continuing to assess individual circumstances rather than broader country-level concerns alone.

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The post, shared on July 12 from right-wing podcast platform 2 Worlds Collide, included the phrase “ABC: Albo Importing Indians for Votes” and was linked to commentary about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s engagement with Indian-Australian communities during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Melbourne.

Senator Price’s office told media that the repost was intended to highlight discussion around ABC commentary on the Prime Minister’s engagement with the Indian diaspora and was not an endorsement of every comment made by the podcast host.

“The repost was not an endorsement of every comment made by the podcast host,” a spokesperson for Senator Price told The Australian.

The spokesperson said Senator Price believed migration policy settings should be debated on their merits, including whether migration levels matched Australia’s housing and infrastructure capacity.

Defending Senator Price, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said sharing a post did not necessarily mean endorsing every view expressed within it.

Speaking in Melbourne, Taylor said Senator Price, along with other Coalition figures, believed Australia’s immigration policy needed to be carefully managed.

“Jacinta, like me and Jane, believe that immigration policy is hugely important to get right in this country,” Taylor said as per ABC.

“The numbers have been too high and the standards have been too low and the numbers must change.”

The controversy has reignited debate over comments Senator Price made last year, when she was removed from the Coalition frontbench after suggesting Labor’s migration program favoured Indian migrants for electoral purposes. She later clarified her comments but did not apologise.

The latest incident has drawn criticism from the NSW Labor Government, which accused the Coalition of allowing divisive rhetoric targeting the Australian-Indian community.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a statement that Australia’s multicultural success was built on the contributions of people from diverse backgrounds.

“New South Wales is the most successful multicultural society in the world. People from every background have helped build this state and we’re stronger because of it,” Minns said.

“Fear and division have never built a better community. If you work hard, contribute to your community and believe in this country, then you belong here.”

Acting NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Kate Washington said claims that Australian-Indians were being “imported” for political purposes were offensive and ignored their contribution to Australia.

“To suggest these Australians are being ‘imported’ for votes is offensive, false and insulting to the hard work, sacrifice and contribution of hundreds of thousands of Australian-Indians.”

The NSW Government said Australian-Indians were making significant contributions across business, healthcare, education, construction and innovation.

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Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Steve Dimopoulos launched the strategy, describing international education as one of Victoria’s greatest strengths and a key contributor to the state’s economy.

Launching the strategy, Minister Dimopoulos said Victoria would continue to position itself as a leading global education destination.

“Victoria will remain a global education partner of choice and Labor makes sure all students benefit from a world-class education.”

Victoria remains Australia’s leading destination for international students, with around 322,000 students from approximately 170 countries choosing to study in the state during 2025.

The international education sector generated $17.9 billion in export revenue last year and supported approximately 69,000 jobs, making it one of Victoria’s largest export industries.

The new strategy focuses on improving every stage of the student journey, from attracting students to supporting their wellbeing, inclusion and career opportunities while studying in Victoria.

The government said international students contribute not only economically but also culturally by bringing new ideas, skills and global perspectives that strengthen Victorian communities.

The strategy builds on Victoria’s reputation for world-class education and follows Melbourne once again being named Australia’s best student city and the world’s fifth-best student city in 2026.

The Study with Victoria initiative is backed by $18.6 million over two years through the Victorian Budget 2025–26.

The strategy also expands existing initiatives, including the Study Melbourne Inclusion Program, which helps connect international students with local communities while supporting their health and wellbeing.

It complements the Yes to International Students Fund, which assists Victorian universities and TAFEs to expand their international presence and promote Victorian education globally.

The Minister also used the announcement to criticise the Liberal–One Nation opposition, claiming their policies would threaten Victoria’s international education sector.

“Jess Wilson and her Liberal/One Nation coalition will cut Victoria off from the world, gut 69,000 jobs and destroy Victoria’s largest single export.”

The Victorian Government said the strategy aims to ensure Victoria remains competitive in an increasingly contested global education market while delivering economic benefits for the state and creating a welcoming environment for students from around the world.

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That distinction matters, and it is one Congress under Rahul Gandhi keeps failing to make.

‘Melbourne Meets Modi’ was not a mystery. Registrations opened weeks in advance, both for individuals and through more than 400 community organisations, all publicly invited.

Around 30,000 people showed up — doctors, nurses, engineers, academics, tradies, students, small business owners, the unglamorous backbone of the Indian-Australian community that politicians in Canberra and Wellington now routinely credit for economic and multicultural success.

Some came on chartered buses and flights. That is not evidence of manufacture. It is evidence of organisation — the same organisation that fills stadiums for cricket finals, Vaisakhi mela, or a Diwali function in any major Australian city.

I have covered enough of these gatherings, and organised a few myself through community and academic networks, to know the difference between a rented crowd and a mobilised one. This was the latter.

What troubles me more than the mischaracterisation is where the talking points came from.

Watching Congress figures recycle “taxpayer-funded” and “inappropriate political exercise” framing — language lifted almost verbatim from Australia’s anti-immigration commentariat — is not just lazy politics. It is a party borrowing the vocabulary of people who do not particularly want Indians in Australia to succeed, and turning it against the very community it claims to speak for back home.

I have spent years writing about the corrosive edges of that rhetoric when it comes from One Nation or the far right. It is no less corrosive coming from the Indian National Congress.

The deeper problem is one I have been tracking since I first coined the idea of ‘paraspara diplomacy’ a decade ago — the notion that a healthy relationship between India and its diaspora has to be reciprocal, built on recognition rather than extraction. Congress has never fully made that shift.

Congress under Rahul Gandhi still treats the diaspora as a nostalgia account to be drawn on during elections — NRI cells for fundraising, photo-ops for visiting leaders, the occasional invocation of “brand India” — rather than as a genuinely global constituency with its own institutions, its own political judgment, and increasingly, its own influence on how India is perceived abroad.

I feel a party that cannot organise its own leader a comparable reception in Melbourne or Auckland has no standing to dismiss one it didn’t build.

That is not a rhetorical flourish. It is a testable claim. If Congress believes these gatherings are stage-managed, the remedy is simple: book Marvel Stadium, or something half its size, for Rahul Gandhi. Fill it with people who came because they wanted to, not because a hashtag told them to. Let the diaspora decide, in person, whether the enthusiasm is real. Until that happens, the “paid crowd” line is not analysis. It is an alibi for a dynast’s party that has lost the ability to read a community it once assumed it owned.

There is a second remedy, and it does not require booking a stadium. Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, should apologise — plainly and without qualification — on behalf of the party colleagues who have spent two days describing thirty thousand of his own countrymen as a rented mob. This is not a large ask. It does not require him to praise Modi or soften his politics. It requires him to say, in effect, that the Indian diaspora does not deserve to have its judgment mocked by the party that wants its votes at home and its remittances abroad. Congress has apologised for less. The silence so far speaks for itself.

It is also worth asking who else was standing in that stadium when Congress decided the crowd was rented. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not merely attend Melbourne Meets Modi — he walked in alongside Modi, addressed the more than 30,000 people gathered, and later posted that the Indian community had made Australia “a better place.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan introduced both leaders, telling the crowd that Victoria’s Indian community had “helped build this state with hard work, compassion and ambition,” and calling the turnout one of the largest ever assembled for a visiting world leader in Australia.

These are not bit players who wandered into a stage-managed event by accident. They are the sitting Prime Minister of Australia and the Premier of its second-largest state, appearing on record, on camera, in front of tens of thousands of their own constituents.

If Congress’s charge is to be taken seriously, it has to answer an uncomfortable question: does it believe Anthony Albanese and Jacinta Allan lent their offices to a rented mob? Does it think two of Australia’s most senior elected leaders were duped, or complicit, or simply didn’t notice? There is no version of the “paid crowd” theory that stands up to scrutiny. Either the enthusiasm was genuine—in which case the Congress party owes the diaspora an apology—or the Prime Minister of Australia and the Premier of Victoria were somehow misled in full public view, a proposition that no one, not even the Congress party, can seriously believe.

Pawan Khera reached for ‘Game of Thrones’ to make his point about insecure popularity. It is a serviceable line, but it cuts in exactly the wrong direction. The insecurity on display is not Modi’s. It belongs to a party whose default response to thirty thousand people voluntarily giving up a Sunday is to assume they must have been bought — because the alternative, that the diaspora simply prefers what it is being offered, is harder to sit with.

I, as many others, did not attend Marvel Stadium as a Congress supporter or a BJP one. I attended it, and have written about it, as someone who has spent thirteen years building a life in this country while staying tethered to India through work, family and half a career’s worth of scholarship on exactly this relationship. What I saw, both in Sydney 2023 and Melbourne 2026, was not a manufactured spectacle. It was a diaspora that has outgrown the categories Indian politics still tries to fit it into — no longer defined by homesickness, but by influence, investment and a confidence that no party back home fully understands yet.

Congress does not have a Modi problem in the diaspora. It has a recognition problem. And crowds, unlike parties, do not need permission to show up.

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The celebrations were attended by Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta, who described the milestone as a testament to a century of faith, seva (selfless service) and dedication to the people of Fiji.

“The milestone reflects the Gurudwara’s enduring contribution to promoting the timeless values of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and fostering harmony, inclusivity and community spirit,” High Commissioner Mehta said.

Also attending the celebrations were Minister for Public Enterprises, Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts Charan Jeath Singh and Permanent Secretary for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Dr Vinesh Kumar.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Singh said the centenary represented far more than the passage of time, reflecting a century of faith, sacrifice, service and community spirit that has enriched Fiji’s social and cultural landscape.

“The Tagi Tagi Gurudwara stands as a symbol of resilience, unity and selfless service,” he said.

“For 100 years, it has served not only as a place of worship but also as a centre of learning, fellowship and community service, nurturing generations of Fijians while promoting values that unite us all.”

The Minister acknowledged the enduring teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, saying the principles of humility, honesty, compassion, equality and selfless service continue to inspire communities across Fiji and remain vital in building a stronger and more inclusive nation.

He also recognised the Sikh community’s contribution beyond economic development, highlighting its longstanding tradition of volunteerism, generosity and service.

Reaffirming the Coalition Government’s commitment to preserving Fiji’s multicultural identity, Minister Singh said the country’s diversity remained one of its greatest strengths.

“Our many cultures, languages, traditions and faiths are the foundation of a vibrant and united nation,” he said.

“When we celebrate each other’s festivals, respect one another’s beliefs and stand together during times of need, we build a Fiji that is stronger, more resilient and more prosperous.”

Minister Singh said the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs would continue supporting programmes that preserve cultural heritage, strengthen interfaith understanding and encourage meaningful partnerships between communities.

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The leaflets, reportedly distributed in letterboxes across Kurri Kurri, urged residents to “keep curry” out of the town and promoted far-right concepts including “remigration” and “preserving culture”.

Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi criticised the campaign, accusing those behind the material of spreading hate and division in the community. “Enough of this racist bullsh*t. Disgusting racist leaflets have been dumped into letterboxes across Kurri,” Mr Repacholi wrote on social media.

“We have already seen local doctors abused and targeted with racist comments. Now cowards are spreading this hateful rubbish through our community.”

He added: “Let me be absolutely clear. Racism is not welcome in Kurri, it is not welcome in the Hunter. And it will not go unchallenged.”

Mr Repacholi said the Hunter community was “stronger than hate and division” and encouraged residents who received the leaflets to report where they were distributed.

The material appears to have been linked to the far-right Australia First party, which has promoted white nationalist views and campaigns against multiculturalism.

The incident follows concerns from community leaders about increasing instances of racial abuse and vilification targeting culturally diverse communities across Australia.

Mr Repacholi said the response from the local community must be one of unity.

“Our community is stronger than the hate and division these people are trying to spread.”

Authorities have not confirmed whether any individuals have been identified in relation to the distribution of the leaflets.

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The post ‘No Curry in Kurri’: Labor MP Dan Repacholi condemns racist leaflets targeting Indian migrants first appeared on The Australia Today.