Refugees still need our help baird 20151116 p5tri4.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Refugees still need our help: Baird

AAP

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NSW Premier Mike Baird has distanced himself from a government backbencher's calls for Australia to close its borders following the deadly Paris terror attacks.

In a Facebook post over the weekend, Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to turn away "Islamic boat people" and refugees from the Middle East.

Mr Baird told reporters on Monday he did not agree with his coalition colleague's comments "at all".

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He said it was appropriate that people arriving in Australia be subject to rigorous security checks.

"But I don't think anyone should say we shouldn't help someone in such need as those that are fleeing the sort of terror we've seen (in Paris) being wreaked upon them in their homeland," Mr Baird said.

"At the same time the appropriate security checks must be undertaken, and I've got full confidence in the prime minister and the federal immigration minister to do that."

Beefed-up security measures may mean the 7000 Syrian refugees NSW has committed to taking in will take longer to resettle, he added.

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