Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce backed a proposal for mass deportations of illegal immigrants on Monday [1].
The alignment between Joyce and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson signals a hardline shift in immigration enforcement strategy within the Australian government [1, 2].
Speaking at Federal Parliament in Canberra, Joyce said he supported Hanson's call to remove individuals who entered the country illegally [1, 2]. He said illegal immigrants could be identified and targeted for deportation when they seek medical treatment [1].
During the discussions, Joyce addressed questions regarding the party's ideological direction. He said One Nation does not want to reinstate the White Australia policy, a historic set of legislation designed to forbid non-European immigration [1, 2].
Joyce sought to distance the current party platform from the era of the White Australia policy while maintaining that strict deportation measures are necessary [1]. The proposal focuses specifically on those who have bypassed legal entry requirements [1, 2].
“Barnaby Joyce backed a proposal for mass deportations of illegal immigrants”
The endorsement of mass deportations by the Deputy Prime Minister indicates a willingness to use public infrastructure, such as healthcare services, as a mechanism for immigration enforcement. By simultaneously denying a return to the White Australia policy, the government is attempting to frame these measures as legal compliance rather than racial exclusion.
