Andrew Giles (Scullin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Cook for his question. As I have said previously in question time today, I will be issuing a new, revised ministerial direction. Part of that is to ensure that visa decisions are guided by these two principles: protection of the community and common sense. As I said in answer to an earlier question, there will be a higher focus on these than has been the case in the past. I'm sure the Leader of the Opposition, when he was listening to the examples that the Prime Minister put to him, was reflecting on how previous ministerial directions under him might have been improved too. These are changes that will improve decision-making.

On the specific question: I can say that I have already briefed senior officials of my department so that these changes can progress expeditiously.

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