Just now, I received a response from the Department of Home Affairs, on behalf of Immigration Minister, David Coleman.
Essentially, it's still the same non-response about not commenting on individual cases. The full letter is below, but this paragraph did jump out at me:
While the Government fully respects and supports Australia’s well-established freedom of speech and freedom of religion and belief, everyone who wishes to enter or stay in Australia must satisfy the character requirement as set out in section 501 of the Act. A non citizen may fail the character test if it is assessed that they may vilify, incite discord, or represent a danger to the Australian community. Where a decision maker reasonably suspects that a person does not pass the character test, further consideration is undertaken to assess the specific circumstances of the case.
My question to the immigration minister as his department is this: it is clear that Gavin McInnes fails the character test, so why haven't you cancelled his visa? He has founded a "gang" (his words), declared a hate group by Southern Poverty Law Centre and described by the FBI as "extremist". University academics predict that his visit will recruit more local "Proud Boys", whose members have been arrested for violent misconduct. This will incite discord within Australia.
Gavin McInnes is a danger to the Australian community. David Coleman must cancel his visa.
Tomorrow, Prof. Marcia Langton AM and Federal MPs will stand with me outside Parliament House as I deliver this petition. If you are in Canberra, please join us at this peaceful event.
If you cannot be there, please share this petition and call David Coleman's office to respectfully request he cancel Gavin McInnes visa (ph 02 6277 4188). Stand with us as we say no to violent extremism.
Nyadol Nyuon.
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Read the Home Affairs letter:
Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
Ref No: MC18-059620
Ms Nyadol Nyuon
Dear Ms Nyuon
Thank you for your correspondence of 7 November 2018, concerning Mr Gavin Mclnnes' expected tour to Australia. The Minister appreciates the time you have taken to bring this matter to his attention and has asked that I reply on his behalf.
Due to privacy legislation, I cannot comment on the particulars of Mr Mclnnes’ case. However, I am able to provide information on the provisions of the character test under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act).
While the Government fully respects and supports Australia’s well-established freedom of speech and freedom of religion and belief, everyone who wishes to enter or stay in Australia must satisfy the character requirement as set out in section 501 of the Act. A non-citizen may fail the character test if it is assessed that they may vilify, incite discord, or represent a danger to the Australian community. Where a decision maker reasonably suspects that a person does not pass the character test, further consideration is undertaken to assess the specific circumstances of the case.
Further information on the character provisions of the Act can be found on the Department’s website at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-ourrequirements/character
Thank you for bringing your concerns to the Minister’s attention.
Yours sincerely
Acting Director
Character and Cancellation Branch
November 2018