Fiery exchange as top Liberal grilled over 'bad countries' list

Monday, 27 April 2026 11:07

The deputy opposition leader was pressed to name the 'bad countries' called out by Angus Taylor.

Deputy Opposition leader Jane Hume has been grilled over Angus Taylor's remarks about "bad people" coming to Australia from "bad countries".

In another sign the Coalition is moving to a tougher immigration policy, Taylor told the ABC yesterday "there is a higher risk that some bad people come from those bad countries".

The opposition leader did not name the nations, but on Today this morning co-host Sarah Abo, who was born in Syria, put his deputy on the spot.

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Hume began by attacking the Albanese government's record on migration numbers, saying "standards" were slipping.

"We've had 1.4 million new people come from this country in the last four years along ... we know the numbers are too high and standards too low," she said.

Then Abo asked her: "So which are the bad countries Angus talks about"?

Hume initially hesitated with naming any, saying there were regimes around the world seeking to harm Australia.

But when pressed she gave Iran as a "very good example".

This prompted Abo to ask, "So everyone from Iran is a bad person?", and whether under a Coalition government Iranians would be placed on a "banned list".

Hume, clearly irritated, replied the questions were "oversimplifying" the issue, and told Abo she had "obviously" not read the Coalition policy statement.

Earlier this month, Taylor launched a revamped Coalition immigration stance in response to surging support for the populist One Nation party.

He has insisted the new policy is in line with Australia's non-discriminatory migration system, which does not bar people in specific countries from applying to come here.

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