Tony Burke blasts ‘idiotic’ suggestion he would weaken security checks for Palestinians

Liberal senator James Paterson suggested new home affairs minister could be compromised in his role due to pressure from grassroots Muslim groups

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The new home affairs minister, Tony Burke, has rubbished suggestions that he will rubber-stamp visas for Palestinians in a bid to stave off backlash in his western Sydney seat at the next federal election.

Burke, in his first interview following the Albanese government's reshuffle, said the suggestions made by shadow home affairs minister, James Paterson, in a recent article were idiotic" and untrue.

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