Ben Morton (Tangney, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet) Share this | Hansard source

I thank all members who contributed to this debate. The Immigration (Education) Amendment (Expanding Access to English Tuition) Bill 2020 expands access to free English tuition for migrants delivered through the Adult Migrant English Program. The bill removes limits on tuition hours and raises the upper limit for AMEP eligibility to allow people to remain in the program until they reach vocational English. It removes various time limits that would otherwise restrict the ability of certain migrants to access English tuition.

The bill also expands the scope of the discretion to deliver English courses outside Australia. Currently, this discretion only applies to permanent visa applicants. The bill will be extended to permanent visa holders as well as people who have applied for or hold a specified temporary visa. This amendment lays the foundation for tuition options to be developed in the future to deliver English courses to people who are overseas to help them prepare for migration to Australia.

English language skills are critical to every aspect of life in Australia. If you can't communicate, you can't integrate. Without English, it is harder to get a job, harder to be an active member of the community and harder to participate in our rich democracy. This bill will support migrants to achieve the English language skills needed to participate effectively in Australia. It will also allow certain visa holders with low levels of English proficiency who are already in Australia to re-engage in language learning.

I would like to thank the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for its work on this bill through its inquiry and for its recommendation that the bill be passed. The government will continue working with English course providers and other stakeholders, many of whom made submissions to the inquiry, throughout the implementation of the reforms to ensure the program effectively achieves English language outcomes for eligible migrants.

The changes made by the bill reflect the government's commitment to supporting migrants to learn Australia's national language. It will send a strong message about the importance of English proficiency for social cohesion and national unity. Increased English language skills will also boost the future employment and education prospects for migrants. This is particularly important in light of the economic challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The government is committed to the successful integration and participation of migrants in Australian society. By expanding access to English tuition, the bill will contribute to enhanced social cohesion within the Australian community. I believe that this bill deserves support. I commend the bill to the House.

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