How Australia exploited the Iranian women’s football team

Australia has given asylum to a handful of Iranian footballers while tightening immigration laws that have closed the door to thousands more, writes Dr Binoy Kampmark.

When it comes to refugees, Australia’s political machine prides itself on its use of cruelty and a deliberately foolish understanding of international law.

Bolted sovereignty rose above rights and humanitarianism as political interests fueled hatred of the dark, hungry hordes heading to the island continent in unseaworthy boats. Since the early 1990s, UN Refugee Convention it was gradually shortened and its applicability in domestic politics was downplayed.

Conservative government at that time John Howard The refugee, who came to power in 1996 and turned Australia into a vast village of dubious citizens whose development had been stalled, became prey to voters who were baited to attract voters, worried that the shady, brooding arrivals fleeing war-torn regions and predatory regimes would somehow disrupt their comfortable lives.

From then on, a public relations machine was developed to deter and terrorize those willing to make the journey to the deadly shore. The money was poured into advertisements distributed throughout the Middle East warning those seeking to cross the seas. For example, in February 2014, Australian officials I introduced a campaign with the slogan: ‘It’s not possible. ‘They won’t be able to call Australia home.’

This miserable effort was headlined by a comic strip depicting asylum seekers in a detention center suffering from frustrating boredom. Reality television shows that make fun of the unsuspecting foreigner at customs: Border Securityit also became a celluloid staple.

In March, public abuse of asylum seekers changed suddenly. The Iranian women’s football team, participating in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup held on Australian soil, presented a great opportunity to show that the Australian government could appreciate the asylum requests of those fleeing the Middle East regime.

Before their match against South Korea He could not sing the National AnthemIt sparked savage criticism from commentators back home.

The organization was initially unclear about what to do. Journalists met at ABC insiderAptly named to show how close Australia’s political writers are to the laundry and content of power, he made an unspeakable display by refusing to emphasize his inherent right to seek asylum.

Vague, contrived suggestions were put forward cautiously: The team’s stay visas could be arranged for a longer stay; some consideration will be given to their welfare; The Iranian regime was brutal, propagandist, etc. But “asylum” remained dirty, ranking lower than “fuck” on the national broadcaster’s list of dirty words.

This spectacle was even more despicable given that Australia wholeheartedly acknowledged the illegal attack on Iran and refused to call it an Iranian violation. United Nations Charter.

But this was too good a chance for the Albanian Government to miss. The scenario wrote itself: oppressed women imprisoned in hotel rooms; the repressive religious regime in Tehran; fear, terror and surveillance. One mother reportedly warning To prevent your daughter from returning “they will kill you”.

Then came one intervene US President Donald J Trump in Canberra “I’m making a terrible mistake” while letting the team “They will most likely be sent back to Iran where they will be killed.”. Give them asylum, the call has come.

Although the issuance of humanitarian visas to seven team members was also duly followed, the decision has since been taken by five others out of concern for their families and their presence in Iran. they changed their minds. Minister of Transport Catherine King I tried to be smart stating He said every effort was being made to encourage them to stay. Quite lowly, he expressed his pride “Australia offered this option to these women.”

While there were many congratulatory reactions to the granting of humanitarian visas, the Janus-faced nature of Australia’s immigration policy remained in play. Hours after the grant, the Albanian Government initiated changes to the grant. Immigration Act 1958 (Cth) shaped Immigration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Bill 2026 (Cth)The Home Secretary is given the power to prevent those who have already been granted temporary visas from visiting Australia.

Travel ban, Interior officials told a 1.5-hour committee hearing about the hastily made changes could stand It will affect up to 61,000 visa holders from the Middle East for six to 12 months.

The coalition found good reasons for the changes. as Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam It made sense, there was someone every reason be suspicious of what’s coming “A region exposed to conflict” Those who issue temporary travel documents such as visitor or tourist visas, “That they will remain there after the visa has expired to potentially seek asylum and perhaps stay illegally.” (How opportunistic those fleeing war can be!)

Wanting to ease his own conscience and that of his party members, Duniam stated that such suspensions are temporary:

“This is not a permanent ban on people coming to this country.”

Greens immigration spokesman Senator David Shobridgedistilled nature of changes To journalists in Canberra:

“On the same day that the Labor Party gave this opportunity to a handful of brave Iranian football players, they closed the door on the other 7,200 Iranians who had already been granted visas and security clearances.”

When speak against Shoebridge found it extremely strange that, following the changes in Parliament, these people would:

“…I couldn’t come to this country and ask for protection from this regime, Israeli bombs, US missiles, acid rain and black rain as a result of Israeli and US bombings.”

Shoebridge thought the measures were put in place in a moment of fear. “It’s about being surrounded by One Nation. You’re responding to One Nation Islamophobia.”.

Australian Greens Leader, Senator Larissa Waters, observed The unpleasant nature of the Home Secretary Tony Burkeexalts himself for “While we are providing asylum to a handful of young Iranian women who stand out on the football field, we are also closing the door to thousands of others.” He already had the right to come to Australia. “You’ve really rewritten the rules for how ruthless a government can be.”

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe was even more sarcastic, tells MPs say this is the case “Labour Party’s new White Australia policy”. It was befitting a government that had proven itself. “The first person in the world to congratulate Trump and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu for illegally bombing Iran”.

Canberra added its contribution to the conflict by sending defense personnel and aircraft to the Gulf.

Thorpe’s explanation is as follows:

“And at that moment [the Albanese] “The government is helping to escalate violence, while also slamming the door on people who will inevitably have to flee.”

Like Shoebridge and Waters, Thorpe saw the race card in the generous game. “It’s an example of how Labor, the Coalition and One Nation are competing to be the cruelest and most racist because they think that’s the path to political success.”.

Thorpe may occasionally be criticized for being so harsh as to distort a debate, but the spirit of sarcasm this government showed was remarkable.

Paul Powerco-CEO Australian Refugee Council, saw There is an appropriately grim historical parallel in the proposed changes. In the late 1930s, countries closed their doors to European Jews, who were deprived of their citizenship.

in that Evian ConferenceAt the meeting convened in July 1938, delegates from 32 countries, including Australia, confirmed their general reluctance to accept Jewish refugees. The dark star of the conference was the Australian Minister of Trade and Customs. Thomas Whitewho declared “Australia wouldn’t help because it didn’t want to import a ‘race problem’”.

Governments come and go, but opportunism remains eternal.