<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>326692</docID> <postdate>2024-08-15 09:53:24</postdate> <headline>‘I’m not discriminating’: Dutton defends Gazan ban</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-326699" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240511176262185210-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Peter Dutton says it's too risky to allow people fleeing Gaza into Australia. (EPA PHOTO)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Tess Ikonomou</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Peter Dutton has doubled down on his call to ban Palestinians fleeing to Australia from Gaza, declaring he's not discriminating.</strong></p> <p>The opposition leader on Wednesday made the captain's call, which is understood to have surprised his colleagues.</p> <p>"My job is to protect all Australians and it's exactly what I'm doing," he told Channel Nine on Thursday.</p> <p>"I'm not discriminating on any basis. Happy to see people brought in from the Middle East, if they've been properly checked."</p> <p>Muslim and Palestinian advocacy groups have labelled Mr Dutton's comments racist and another attempt to stir up fear and hatred.</p> <p>Mr Dutton rejected that he had heightened tensions in the community just days after ASIO director-general Mike Burgess called for public figures to be mindful of their rhetoric.</p> <p>When asked if he had discussed the position with his colleagues beforehand, Mr Dutton said "it's not an issue that goes to shadow cabinet".</p> <p>"I'm not talking about internal discussions," he said.</p> <p>"It's a discussion with the national security team and I've done that."</p> <p>Education Minister Jason Clare criticised the opposition leader's decision to make the comments at a ceremony welcoming home returning Olympians.</p> <p>"That shows you something about what lies in the heart of Peter Dutton," he told reporters in Canberra.</p> <p>"Every instinct in this bloke's body, every calculation is about how he can divide the country.</p> <p>"It shows this bloke's not fit to run a bar, let alone Australia."</p> </body>