Attorney-general's visa push: 'The more South Africans, the better'

Cabinet minister Christian Porter has declared "the more South Africans, the better" for his Western Australian electorate as Liberals call for white farmers to be given visas.

Attorney-General Christian Porter

Attorney-general Christian Porter. Source: AAP

Australian Attorney-General Christian Porter has put out the welcome mat for South African farmers, pledging to help people applying for Australian visas based on persecution.

Mr Porter's Perth electorate of Pearce had more than 5,000 South African-born residents at the last census, which recorded 2656 Afrikaans speakers living in the seat.



"More than any other place in Australia, South Africans have made their home in the north coast of WA, in my electorate," Mr Porter told the Australian.

"They are hardworking and make a huge contribution to our local community."

He said over the past five years his office had helped a steady stream of South Africans with immigration issues.

"I have always thought that, given their contribution, the more South Africans in our local community the better," the attorney-general said.

"If anyone in Pearce needs any assistance with relatives back in South Africa who are potential candidates for visa classes based on any form of persecution, or any other visa class for that matter, please contact my office and we will continue to provide every assistance."



WA Liberal backbenchers Andrew Hastie and Ian Goodenough last week called on Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to relax visa rules and accept 10,000 white South African farmers who are facing discrimination and violence.

Mr Dutton confirmed last week he is considering several applications from South African farmers for refugee or humanitarian status in Australia.

He sparked controversy and diplomatic tensions after last month arguing the "persecuted" farmers needed help from a "civilised country" like Australia.


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