Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Waters for that question. The Australian government takes allegations of illegal activity very seriously. Everyone is required to abide by the Australian law. That includes casino operators, public officials and visitors to our country. Our law enforcement agencies are working hard to disrupt and deter criminal groups by collecting evidence and intelligence about financially motivated crime. I will not provide specific details given the potential to compromise ongoing investigations.

In relation to visa processing, every application for an Australian visa must be assessed against national security, character and health criteria. Applicants must satisfy the relevant criteria before a visa can be granted, and there is no discretion for officials to depart from these requirements set out in the Migration Act and regulations. I repeat that last sentence: there is no discretion for officials to depart from those requirements set out in the Migration Act and regulations—that is, every application for an Australian visa must be assessed against national security, character and health criteria.