Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The reason these amendments are necessary is that the words 'no unlawful right to come to Australia' form part of the elements of the people-smuggling offences in section 233A and 233C of the Migration Act 1958 that are not currently defined. The amendments in the bill are necessary to clarify beyond doubt the existing understanding of the laws. The amendments will also ensure that convictions for people-smuggling offences that have already been made, as well as prosecutions underway, are not invalidated.