Andrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the . Minister, the ALP won the election promising to abolish TPV's, safe haven enterprise visas and the failed fast track process, but we've still heard nothing about how or when this will happen, despite 31,000 refugees being in limbo and unable to reunite with family, to access stable work and educational or to travel abroad. Minister, when will the government end the cruelty and provide permanent protection so that refugees can rebuild their lives in Australia?

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

I thank the member for Clark for his question and for the sincere concern which lies behind it—indeed, his longstanding advocacy on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers. I acknowledge that he and many members of the crossbench have raised these issues with me in respect of this very significant commitment. I'm very proud to be a member of a government that recognises that we can be resolute in maintaining strong and secure borders whilst not abandoning our humanity. That is fundamentally important. It is who we are as a people, regardless of what members opposite might say and regardless of their record of cruelty and neglect. I'm also proud to be a member of a government that keeps its promises, unlike members opposite. This government made a commitment, that the member for Clark recognises, to transition people who came here more than a decade ago, and who are owed our protection and who are on temporary protection visas or SHEVs, to permanent visas.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Longman is warned.

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

That is the commitment we made. It's a commitment I am working towards realising together with my friend the Minister for Home Affairs. We are doing so in the manner in which this government is conducting itself: consultatively and deliberately, making sure we get this right. We will get this right by taking the time to get it right. I welcome any further discussions with the member for Clark, members of the crossbench or members opposite on how we will meet this important commitment.