As the war against Islamic Militants rages on, Australia will begin implementing a new method of keeping radical Islamist preachers from entering the country, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Wednesday, according to The Associated Press.
Abbott said hate preachers would now be "red-carded" during the visa process under the new system, which he said would not require new legislation, the AP reported.
"By all means let Australians who want to say stupid things say stupid things, but there's no point in importing troublemakers from overseas to stir people up and that's what I want to see in place very, very swiftly," Abbott told Sydney Radio 2GB, according to the AP.
"What we want to do is to ensure that known preachers of hate do not come to this country to peddle their divisive extremist message," Abbott told reporters in Sydney, Reuters reported. "What I'm doing is declaring that we will henceforth have a new system in place which will ensure that preachers of hate can't come to Australia to peddle their extreme, divisive and alien ideologies."
Australian Muslims argue their community is being unfairly targeted and threatened, the AP reported. Australia is on high alert for attacks by radicalized Muslims or by home-grown militants returning from fighting in the Middle East.
About 160 Australians have been in active battle in the Middle East or actively supporting groups fighting there, with at least 20 who are believed to have returned to Australia and pose a threat to security, according to the AP.
"We should have a system in place which red-cards these hate preachers and stops them coming to Australia," Abbott added. The government currently has the power to refuse visas on general character grounds.