Howard warns on immigration limits as Joyce defends superannuation withdrawal plan

John Howard, aged 87, spoke with ANU security expert Rory Medcalf in Canberra, reflecting on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks and a recent alleged terrorist incident in Bondi. He said statistical odds allow a few malicious entrants despite immigration safeguards, but dismissed the notion that evidence overwhelmingly supports stricter limits, warning against broad bans on migrants from countries deemed high-risk.

While neither the Labor nor Liberal parties propose nationwide migration bans, One Nation has suggested restricting entry from nations on the foreign affairs department’s travel advisory list. In a separate segment, One Nation deputy leader Barnaby Joyce addressed controversy over Victorian leader Warren Pickering’s disputed personal allegations and defended the party’s proposal to permit hardship withdrawals from superannuation, insisting the policy would have an almost minute inflationary effect, despite warnings from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia that it could be economically damaging.