The Australian government is navigating a stark contradiction in its migration policy, characterised by what experts call "unprecedented."

As the nation recently celebrated providing humanitarian asylum to seven members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who feared persecution after a silent protest, the government has quietly fast-tracked a bill that could block others from similar protections.

The legislation grants the Home Affairs Minister the power to impose an "arrival control determination" on specific groups.

This would allow the government to implement sweeping bans on individuals entering Australia from certain countries, even if they hold valid visas.

Ogy Simic, head of advocacy at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), has voiced deep concerns.

“It gives [the Government] a huge amount of unprecedented power and the legislation is written in a way where it's open-ended and can be used in a whole raft of different ways,” Simic said.

The bill’s reach is broad, potentially affecting those on student, work, or holiday visas.

Simic says the bill arrived just as the public was focused on the soccer team's asylum success, calling it “politically convenient.”

"It makes people think that the only way to get permanency in Australia and protection in Australia is if you can have a photo with the Home Affairs Minister," Simic said.

Simic argues that this move breaks with a long-standing Australian tradition of providing sanctuary during global conflicts. He cites precedents where Prime Ministers across the political spectrum – including Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, Tony Abbott, and Scott Morrison – oversaw significant humanitarian intakes.

Perhaps most concerning to advocates is the speed with which the bill was passed. Rushed through the House of Representatives in just two days, the legislation bypassed traditional public scrutiny and hearings.

Simic describes these "authoritarian bills" as a "hallmark of the Labor government."

“In the last two years, we've seen this about three or four times of bills being rushed through… in Australia now we have some of the harshest policies when it comes to refugees and people seeking asylum,” he said.

As the war in the Middle East intensifies, and the Australian government commit more involvement, the ASRC continues to see the real-world impact of these decisions.

"It's like the house is burning down and we're barring the windows shut," Simic said.