Iran - Asylum for Athletes

[6.05 p.m.]

Ms BURNET (Clark) - Honourable Speaker, before their first match at the Asian Cup in Queensland, the Iranian women's football team bravely refused to sing their national anthem, standing instead in silent defiance, but ahead of the second match against the Matildas, the players were singing and saluting. Clearly, the Iranian regime had been rattled by the players act of defiance on a global stage; State TV branded the team traitors. Were the players safe? Were their families safe?

I wrote to the Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, urging the Australian Government to offer protection to the players should they request assistance. There is precedent for Australia offering protection to athletes fleeing persecution. Footballer Hakeem al-Araibi was detained in Thailand at the request of Bahrain, where he faced the risk of torture before being offered asylum in Australia after a match between his team and the South Hobart Football Club.

Since 2022, Iran's brutal crackdown on pro‑democracy protesters has killed many thousands. The Woman, Life, Freedom movement has stood up against institutional corruption and religious chauvinism, paving the way for wider protests. These have been met with extreme state violence. Footballers and other athletes have been targeted in these crackdowns. Several members of the women's football team requested asylum while in Australia, with some apparently later changing their minds, possibly, most likely pressured, and are returning to Iran. They all displayed extraordinary courage in the face of certain reprisals and I hope these decisions were not made under duress.

While the minister was taking photos with the Iranian players, changes to Australia's migration laws were rushed through, making it easier for the government to block entry for entire visa categories or from specific countries. What message does this send to those who hold valid visas who become displaced by global conflict?

I pay tribute to the diverse Iranian community in Tasmania. Many arrived by boat and faced extraordinary challenges: detained, denied Medicare, lacking travel or working rights, and overcoming language barriers before being able to call this place home. I'd like to congratulate my constituent Sam on recently becoming a permanent resident 14 years after arriving in Australia.

Sport can be unified. It can help break down barriers and raise awareness of serious issues. At its best, it allows us to come together with shared expectations to compete and learn. It can put pressure on governments, such as when Russia was excluded from international tournaments following the illegal invasion of Ukraine. It can force social change, such as when racist incidents in AFL football sparked a national conversation.

Australia must abide by our obligations to those seeking safety from global instability, but we must also resist any effort to drag Australia into war.