MEDIA STATEMENT
29 September 2026
Reports that controversial US streamer Hasan Piker is being promoted as a headline act at a major youth-oriented digital creator event in Melbourne next January raise serious questions for Immigration Minister Tony Burke.
Piker was barred from entering the United Kingdom earlier this year and has a documented history of deeply inflammatory statements, including claiming America “deserved” the September 11 attacks, describing Hamas as “a thousand times better” than the State of Israel, downplaying reports of rape during the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks and praising former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Tony Burke has previously used his powers as Immigration Minister to refuse entry to people he believed could incite hatred, division or discord in Australia.
He has refused visas to Candace Owens and Kanye West, as well as Israeli figures including Simcha Rothman, Ayelet Shaked and Hillel Fuld.
The Minister cannot apply one standard to some people and another standard to Hasan Piker.
There can be no double standards from Tony Burke.
As Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I take seriously the responsibility of government to protect our national security, social cohesion and the safety of every Australian.
As Chair of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus, I am deeply concerned about the normalisation of rhetoric which glorifies or excuses terrorism, downplays the atrocities of October 7, 2023, or threatens and vilifies Jewish people.
This is not about left versus right. It is about consistency and security.
If Tony Burke believes the statements and conduct of those he has previously barred from Australia were sufficient to warrant refusing them entry, he must explain why the same standard would not apply to Hasan Piker.
The Government should immediately provide full and frank answers about whether Piker has sought or been granted a visa to enter Australia.
If he has applied, Tony Burke should apply exactly the same test he has applied to others.
Australia should not become a platform for people who glorify terrorism, excuse violence or inflame hatred against Australians because of their faith or ethnicity.
No excuses. No selective standards. No double standards.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
