Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in support of the Migration Legislation Amendment (Cessation of Visa Labels) Bill 2015. The bill is enabling legislation to give effect to the government's decision to formally discontinue the use of visa labels in Australia. A visa label is placed in a passport as physical evidence of someone holding a visa for Australia. Australian governments of both persuasions have been phasing out the requirement for visa labels in passports since the late 1990s. However, travellers have still had the option of requesting a label for their passport.

In 2012 the former Labor government introduced a package of legislative reforms to further discourage the use of visa labels, including a 'visa evidence charge' for those people who requested a label. The coalition increased the visa charge in July 2014. These charges have significantly reduced the number of visa labels issued. For example, in 2011 approximately 100,000 labels were issued per month. By comparison, in August 2015 only 2,816 were issued. The use of digital systems has also made the labels unnecessary, and the majority of visa holders travel to and reside in Australia without a label in their passport.

As part of the phasing out of visa labels over the past several years, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection has consulted with industry stakeholders and we have been advised that they are supportive of the changes. In August 2015, the government introduced an amendment to the Migration Regulations that effectively ended the use of visa labels. This legislation will now give statutory effect to ending the use of visa labels, and that is why Labor supports this bill. With those few words, I commend the bill to the House.

Alex Hawke (Mitchell, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister to the Treasurer) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank members for their contributions to this debate, especially the member for Corio on that very stately and timely speech with excellent cadence and rhythm. Followers of his speeches will note that he always has a very timely approach to his speaking.

While every non-Australian citizen intending to enter and/or remain in Australia is required to have a valid visa, the Australian government does not require a person holding a valid visa to have a label attached to their passport. Australian visas are stored electronically and linked to a passport enabling visa holders, registered Australian organisations and airlines staff to check visa details online. The bill repealed the Migration (Visa Evidence) Charge Act 2012 and amends the Migration Act 1958 to repeal provisions relating to visa labels. Provisions being repealed by the bill no longer have any practical effect. This is a result of amendments made to the Migration Regulations 1994 by the Migration Amendment (Visa Labels) Regulation 2015 on 1 September 2015, which removed the ability of visa holders to request and pay for a visa label as evidence of a visa.

Amendments to the migration regulations together with the measures in this bill complete the implementation of the government's policy of label-free visas. The changes are in accordance with the government's regulatory reform agenda. In summary, I believe the bill deserves the support of all members and I commend the bill to the chamber.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.