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Sarah Hanson-Young moves to veto temporary visas for asylum seekers Sarah Hanson-Young moves to veto temporary visas for asylum seekers
(7 months later)
A plan by the immigration minister, Scott Morrison, to issue asylum seekers with temporary visas could be thrown into disarray if a move by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young to disallow a key regulation succeeds. A plan by the immigration minister, Scott Morrison, to issue asylum seekers with temporary visas could be thrown into disarray if a move by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young to disallow a key regulation succeeds.
The Greens will on Tuesday introduce a motion to disallow a regulation passed in December that prevented asylum seekers who had arrived by boat gaining permanent protection visas. The government has been relying on this regulation to force asylum seekers onto a pathway for temporary protection visas (TPV).The Greens will on Tuesday introduce a motion to disallow a regulation passed in December that prevented asylum seekers who had arrived by boat gaining permanent protection visas. The government has been relying on this regulation to force asylum seekers onto a pathway for temporary protection visas (TPV).
“The Abbott government’s sneaky attempt to reintroduce TPVs is very disappointing,” Hanson-Young said.“The Abbott government’s sneaky attempt to reintroduce TPVs is very disappointing,” Hanson-Young said.
“Forcing refugees to choose between temporary protection and a ticket home to face war and torture is incredibly cruel and flies in the face of the Refugee Convention.“Forcing refugees to choose between temporary protection and a ticket home to face war and torture is incredibly cruel and flies in the face of the Refugee Convention.
“Without lasting protection, refugees can never settle in a new country because the threat of return constantly hangs over their heads. For refugees, being returned home can be a death sentence.”“Without lasting protection, refugees can never settle in a new country because the threat of return constantly hangs over their heads. For refugees, being returned home can be a death sentence.”
The motion is dependent on the support of the Labor party, but it is not yet clear whether it will do so.The motion is dependent on the support of the Labor party, but it is not yet clear whether it will do so.
A spokeswoman for the opposition immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, said in relation to Morrison’s use of the regulation: “This is clearly an attempt to steamroll the parliament.”A spokeswoman for the opposition immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, said in relation to Morrison’s use of the regulation: “This is clearly an attempt to steamroll the parliament.”
A spokeswoman for the immigration minister, Scott Morrison, said: “The government’s policy has always been to deny permanent visas to illegal arrivals.A spokeswoman for the immigration minister, Scott Morrison, said: “The government’s policy has always been to deny permanent visas to illegal arrivals.
“The Senate’s actions in disallowing TPV regulations has meant that the government has had to look at existing temporary visa options to achieve the same outcome.”“The Senate’s actions in disallowing TPV regulations has meant that the government has had to look at existing temporary visa options to achieve the same outcome.”
Last week asylum-seeker casework organisations began receiving mass refusals of permanent protection visa applications, and the Immigration Department issued a fact sheet explaining that Morrison would now be considering granting temporary humanitarian concern visas.Last week asylum-seeker casework organisations began receiving mass refusals of permanent protection visa applications, and the Immigration Department issued a fact sheet explaining that Morrison would now be considering granting temporary humanitarian concern visas.
“The temporary humanitarian concern visa can be valid for up to three years. Your visa may be for a shorter amount of time as your circumstances are assessed on a case-by-case basis,“ the document said.“The temporary humanitarian concern visa can be valid for up to three years. Your visa may be for a shorter amount of time as your circumstances are assessed on a case-by-case basis,“ the document said.
“If you are found to still need Australia’s protection you will be granted another temporary visa. As you arrived illegally you cannot apply for a permanent visa. If you are found to no longer be in need of Australia’s protection, you are expected to return home.”“If you are found to still need Australia’s protection you will be granted another temporary visa. As you arrived illegally you cannot apply for a permanent visa. If you are found to no longer be in need of Australia’s protection, you are expected to return home.”
A number of asylum seekers who are represented by refugee legal aid organisations have received invitations.A number of asylum seekers who are represented by refugee legal aid organisations have received invitations.
The federal government first attempted to reintroduce temporary protection visas in December, but Labor and the Greens blocked the move in the Senate. The regulation the Greens are challenging is also subject to a high court challenge because of its similarity to the previous regulation.The federal government first attempted to reintroduce temporary protection visas in December, but Labor and the Greens blocked the move in the Senate. The regulation the Greens are challenging is also subject to a high court challenge because of its similarity to the previous regulation.