Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Sheldon. I'm sure you do know the answer, but I will advise as follows: the maritime crew visa—otherwise known as the MCV—allows a noncitizen to enter and temporarily remain in Australia as a member of a crew, or a non-military ship to undertake work that meets the normal operational requirements of that ship. Maritime crew visas are—again, you're probably aware—multiple entry visas which are valid for three years. A 'non-military ship' means a ship that is engaged in commercial trade or the carriage of passengers for reward; or that is owned and operated by a foreign government for the purposes of scientific research; or that has been accorded public vessel status by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A non-military ship does not include a vessel which has been imported under the Customs Act 1901 and is not registered in the Australian International Shipping Register.

A licence issued under the Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 exempts international ships engaged in domestic trade from importation. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications is the authority responsible for (a) determining if the vessel has been imported and (b) licences issued under the Coastal Trading Act. Since 2012, foreign flagged ships have the ability to remain in Australian waters on 12-month temporary licences granted by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and, currently, crew maintain their lawful visa status on their maritime crew visa for the duration of the ship's licensed temporary stay in Australian waters.