The Home Affairs department is considering a move to offer refugee visas to South African minorities after Peter Dutton said the country’s “white farmers” needed protection in a "civilised country" like Australia.
South Africa has demanded a “full retraction” of Peter Dutton’s comments on the treatment of white farmers in the country, after the Australian cabinet minister said the “persecuted” group should be considered for refugee visas.
Australia’s high commissioner to South Africa, Adam McCarthy, was called in for meetings with the country’s foreign ministry on Thursday.
“The South African government is offended by the statements which have been attributed to the Australian Home Affairs minister and a full retraction is expected,” the ministry said in a statement to media.
Mr Dutton's office told SBS News the minister had no comment on the demand, while foreign minister Julie Bishop said the South African government should focus on its problem with violent crime.
"The message that we urge on the South African government is that they seek to ensure the security of all their citizens and we certainly urge the South African government to ensure that any changes to land ownership, for example, are not disruptive to the economy nor lead to violence," she told ABC Radio.
The building diplomatic stoush began when Mr Dutton revealed he had asked his department to "look at options" to help the country’s “white farmers” on Wednesday, citing recent reports of violent attacks.
“I've asked my department to look at options and ways in which we can provide some assistance because I do think on the information I've seen people do need help, and they need help from a civilised country like ours,” Mr Dutton said.
On Thursday, the department confirmed to SBS News it was now "monitoring the situation of minority groups in South Africa" and considering "potential resettlement under the offshore humanitarian program".
Mr Dutton’s comments come as the South African government moves ahead with a plan to take over farmland “without compensation" to redress land confiscations of the colonial and apartheid era.
According to police, 74 farmers were murdered between 2016 and 2017 in South Africa, which has one of the world's highest crime rates.
The African Farmers Association of South Africa said it was "offensive for the minister to polarise agriculture".
