Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

The removal of subdivision AK from the Migration Act will improve administrative efficiencies, minimise the risk of family separation and streamline the process for dual nationals seeking protection in Australia. The government's position remains unchanged: those who can avail themselves of protection from a third country because of nationality or some other right to re-enter or reside in a third country should seek protection from the third country instead of applying for visa protection in Australia.

The government is making commonsense changes to the act to build a migration system that works in the national interest, is administratively efficient and provides certainty for visa applications. Subdivision AK is not in line with these principles and it is disappointing to see the opposition stand in the way of efficient and fair visa processing. We will be opposing these amendments.