The Opposition has accused the government of dismantling Australia’s hard border policy by offering permanent protection to people on temporary visas.
Shadow home affairs minister Karen Andrews has accused the Albanese Government of dismantling the nation’s strong border policy by offering permanent protection to those on temporary visas.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles indicated the government will honour its election promise of granting the visas, however no timeframe has been given.
Ms Andrews said the move is “very concerning” and it removes the third pillar of the Coalition’s Operation Sovereign Borders, established in 2013 by the Abbott Government.
Stream more on politics with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022
“I think it’s very concerning,” she told Sky News Australia.
“One of they key pillars of Operation Sovereign Borders is that you would never settle here if you came illegally by boat and there would be temporary protection visas in place.
“So of course, if Labor does move to remove temporary protection visas or remove people who are on temporary protection visas onto permanent visas – that means that the third pillar of Operation Sovereign Borders is gone.”
Today the Australian Border Force released a report showing the largest number of boats interceptions since 2015.
Labor should not be weakening our borders by abolishing Temporary Protection visas. pic.twitter.com/p2bKLgpZXy
In a social media post during the week, Mr Giles said those on TPVs deserve the stability and assurance for their futures.
“The Albanese Government has made a commitment to transition those who have been found to be owed our protection on temporary protection visas to permanent protection – we will keep this promise, and meet our commitment as soon as possible,” he wrote.
“In working towards this, we have met and consulted with TPV/SHEV holders, legal experts and members of the crossbench.
“To put in place a mechanism that is effective, which can be applied to all members of the cohort consistently, and which is enduring.
The Albanese Government has made a commitment to transition those who have been found to be owed our protection on temporary protection visas to permanent protection – we will keep this promise, and meet our commitment as soon as possible.
“Temporary protection visa holders deserve stability and assurance for their futures – to grow their businesses, buy houses, study and gain secure employment – many of them in regional areas.”
Ms Andrews said it does not send a good message to the people smuggler trade or for the people risking their lives to come to Australia.
“That is very concerning in terms of the message that it sends to people who are prepared to risk their lives to come to Australia,” she said.
“But importantly the message that it sends to people smugglers who watch and listen to everything coming out of Australia and look for opportunities for them to go and to sell illegal tickets to come to Australia.”
The government last week announced an increase to the permanent migration cap intake to almost 200,000 this financial year to address the nation’s critical jobs and skills shortages.
Ms Andrews said the move is a good one but warned that it would not change the circumstances right away.
“I think that that’s a good thing to do,” she said.
“Let’s be really clear, just because you lift the cap does not mean all of a sudden people are going to start arriving here.
“Increasing the cap does not one thing to put another person here in Australia that we need.”
Last week at the Jobs and Skills summit Mr Giles announced an investment of $36 million to clear the visa backlog that has left almost a million people waiting for their visas to be processed.
The migration cap lift will mean more applications on top of the remaining 900,000 that still need to be assessed by officials.
The funding will surge staff capacity to 500 over the next nine months.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don’t have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout
Our Apps