CANBERRA /  Australian Somali community organisations across the nation have issued a joint press statement rejecting a proposal by Senator Pauline Hanson and One Nation that seeks to restrict immigration based on “Do Not Travel” security warnings.

In the statement released on 16 August 2026, the coalition of peak community bodies pushed back against attempts to link travel advisories issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) with individual migration eligibility.

The community leaders emphasised that government travel warnings are intended to evaluate environmental risk, ongoing conflict, and safety conditions within specific geographic regions—not to pass judgment on the character, potential, or values of people originating from those countries.

“Australia has every right to maintain strong borders and rigorous security processes. But national security and social cohesion are strengthened when policy is based on evidence and individual circumstances, not a person’s country of birth,” the statement read.

The collective response highlights the contributions of Somali Australians in sectors across business, education, workforce participation, and community service. Community leaders warned against political rhetoric that turns specific migrant communities into scapegoats, arguing that discriminatory migration policies harm Australia’s broader social cohesion.

“We reject politics that seeks to make any Australian community a scapegoat,” the joint release stated. “We are proud of our Somali heritage, proud to call Australia home, and committed to building a safer, stronger and more prosperous Australia for everyone.”

The press statement was backed by prominent community organisations, including:

• Somali Communities Council Inc
• Somali Support Perth
• Somali Society of NSW
• Somali Community Association of Queensland Inc (SCAQ)
• Somali Council of NSW
• Somali Community Inc

The pushback follows recent political debate in Federal Parliament surrounding One.