00:00Australia has announced a six-month ban on Iranian visa holders travelling to the country,
00:06citing risks linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
00:09Its home ministry says passport holders may be unable or unwilling to return home
00:14once their short-term visas expire.
00:17The move is expected to affect around 6,800 Iranian visa holders to the country.
00:25Iranians already travelling to Australia or those who are spouses or dependent children of Australian citizens
00:32and permanent visa holders will be exempt from the restrictions.
00:36Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government was acting in its national interest
00:41amid rapidly changing global conditions.
00:43But some MPs and refugee advocates have warned the move could set a dangerous precedent,
00:49calling it a moral failure and betrayal of the Iranian community.
00:54The government had decided to block visa holders from nominated countries from visiting earlier this month
01:00the same day it granted humanitarian visas to seven members of the Iranian women's football team.
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