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Morrison launches bill for temporary protection visas for asylum seekers Morrison looks set to get temporary protection visas for asylum seekers
(35 minutes later)
The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has introduced a new bill for temporary protection visas for asylum seekers in Australia. The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, looks set to succeed with a fresh bid to introduce temporary protection visas for asylum seekers in Australia after reaching a deal with Clive Palmer.
The law introduced on Thursday will seek to create a new regime of temporary protection visas, where protection can be granted for only three years. Additionally, the bill will create a “safe haven enterprise visa” lasting five years where asylum seekers must work in designated regional areas for a time. Morrison introduced a bill on Thursday that seeks to create a new regime of temporary protection visas, where protection can be granted for only three years. Additionally, the bill will create a “safe haven enterprise visa” lasting five years where asylum seekers must work in designated regional areas for a time.
Morrison said asylum seekers “will be required to confine themselves to designated regions … or an employer in a region can request to be designated by a national self designation process”.Morrison said asylum seekers “will be required to confine themselves to designated regions … or an employer in a region can request to be designated by a national self designation process”.
Asylum seekers who obtain this visa might be able to apply for further visa classes afterwards, but Morrison stressed they would not be eligible for permanent protection.Asylum seekers who obtain this visa might be able to apply for further visa classes afterwards, but Morrison stressed they would not be eligible for permanent protection.
Temporary protection visas have been heavily criticised by immigration experts, who say they create uncertainty and pose additional safety risks for asylum seekers who may ultimately be sent home.Temporary protection visas have been heavily criticised by immigration experts, who say they create uncertainty and pose additional safety risks for asylum seekers who may ultimately be sent home.
The government has attempted to introduce temporary protection visas several times in the past 12 months, but has failed to gain the support of crossbenchers or Labor. The government has attempted to introduce temporary protection visas several times in the past 12 months, but failed to gain the support of crossbenchers or Labor.
The bill appeared to have won Clive Palmer’s support. However Clive Palmer, whose Palmer United party’s votes are crucial in the Senate, is now backing Morrison. At a press conference in Brisbane he championed the new “enterprise” visa.
“Everyone that’s in detention in Australia … will have the ability to apply for safe haven visas,” the Palmer United party leader said. “With the arrangements that we have had with the government we’ll see 1,550 people freed from Christmas Island and, more importantly, we’ll see the introduction of a new safe haven enterprise visa, which we have worked together with the government,” he said.
“It will give them the opportunity to work, provided they go to a remote location.” “A safe haven enterprise visa will allow people to come to Australia for an initial period of five years, and will give them the opportunity to work, provided they go to a remote location, or a location that needs labour.
When asked whether asylum seekers on these visas could gain any types of visas Palmer said: “That depends on whether they keep the terms of their visas. “There are many areas and many communities in our country where we want get labour, where we need people to help us in our economy. So we’ll be taking people away from being dependents of the commonwealth, to being taxpayers to contribute to our society.”
When asked whether asylum seekers on these visas could gain any types of visas, Palmer said: “That depends on whether they keep the terms of their visas.
“I can’t think of any reason why we shouldn’t have put this forward, because it’s only good for Australia.”“I can’t think of any reason why we shouldn’t have put this forward, because it’s only good for Australia.”
On Wednesday the opposition immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, signalled Labor would support a “pathway to protection” scheme. It is not yet clear whether the particular terms of the scheme proposed will gain its support.On Wednesday the opposition immigration spokesman, Richard Marles, signalled Labor would support a “pathway to protection” scheme. It is not yet clear whether the particular terms of the scheme proposed will gain its support.