Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hanson for her question. In relation to the subclass 400 visa, interestingly, it was actually created by the former Labor government. The regulation establishing the visa was made on 14 March 2013, and it was signed off by the member for Gorton, Mr Brendan O'Connor, when he was the immigration minister. In relation to the subclass 400 visa, what it does—and it is fundamentally different to the 457 visa—is allow only for short-term, non-ongoing, highly specialised work. Under the policy the standard period of stay is three months or less, and 92 per cent of visas are generally granted for stays of less than three months. The visa itself, though, does allow for a maximum period of stay of up to six months—however, that is only in exceptional circumstances.

In terms of the visa itself, you will be aware that on 31 July we announced a review of the visa system to ensure that it is genuinely responsive to Australia's economic, social and security interests. This review includes consideration of the role and future requirements of the subclass 400 visa. Public input into this review is invited, and the period of consultation remains open until 15 September 2017. In that regard, Senator Hanson, if you do have interested parties—and clearly you do—who would like to make input to the review, clearly they are allowed to, and certainly we're able to provide you with information in relation to how they can go ahead and do that.