Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the migrant communities of Kingsford Smith, I implore the government to reverse this lousy decision to repeal a number of parent visas. In particular, the non-contributory parent visa, the aged dependent relative visa and the carers visa.

This decision shows the Liberal and National parties' complete disdain and contempt for Australian multiculturalism and migrant communities. The effect of this reform is to put family reunion out of the reach of many Australian migrants by forcing them to pay the up-front fee, which is currently around $125,000, to bring your parents or family members to Australia.

Most migrants in Australia simply cannot afford that fee, particularly many in my community. There was no mention of this policy prior to the election. Again, it is another broken election commitment from a lousy government. It was not even debated in this parliament.

Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What was the queue under you?

Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those opposite say that they are for Australian multiculturalism. Those opposite say that they are defending the rights of migrants—

Honourable members interjecting—

Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Chief Government Whip!

Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We now know that they are nothing but Orwellian slogans!

Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You have no idea what you are talking about!

Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Chief Government Whip!

Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This comes on top of changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What about the budget!

Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Greenway will desist from interjecting! The member the Kingsford Smith has the call.

Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is time for Liberal and National Party MPs to stand up for migrant communities and vote against this reform going through the parliament. (Time expired)