Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to sum up the debate on the Migration Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific and Other Measures) Bill 2023 and the Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Bill 2023. These bills support the introduction of a new Pacific engagement visa allowing up to 3,000 nationals of Pacific countries and Timor-Leste to come to Australia as permanent migrants each year. The new Pacific engagement visa is an important initiative of the government's plan to build a stronger Pacific family. It is designed to grow the Pacific and Timor-Leste diaspora here in Australia. Importantly, the program will address the underrepresentation of some of our closest neighbours in Australia's permanent migration program. In 2021-22 less than a thousand permanent migrants from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste made Australia their home. That is just 0.7 per cent, less than one per cent, of the total permanent migration intake of 143,536 people that year.

The Pacific and Timor-Leste diaspora already make an incredible contribution to Australian communities and have done so for many years. This government wants to grow and support the Pacific diaspora communities in Australia. That aspiration is part of our wider agenda for strengthening Australia's relationships with the countries of the Pacific and Timor-Leste. The new Pacific engagement visa will create new opportunities for people of the Pacific and Timor-Leste to live, work and be educated in Australia. This will deepen our bonds as peoples and enrich our communities and countries.

The Pacific engagement visa was a commitment the Albanese government took to the last election. Since coming to office last year, the Albanese government has consulted closely with Pacific partners and Timor-Leste on the Pacific engagement visa. These discussions have been invaluable, and we have designed the Pacific engagement visa program in response to their feedback. These bills are the first steps in enabling implementation of the visa.

The Pacific engagement visa will establish a permanent resident visa program for participating countries across the Pacific and Timor-Leste. Up to 3,000 visas, inclusive of partners and dependent children, will be allocated annually through a ballot process. A ballot system will ensure equal and transparent access to the visa pathway. The ballot will be open to eligible nationals of participating Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. This will include Pacific nationals already in Australia on a valid temporary visa, such as those working here under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. Eligible participants aged 18 to 45 will register in the ballot. Participants randomly selected in the ballot can then apply for the Pacific engagement visa and include their partner and dependent children in their application. To be granted a visa, they will need to meet eligibility criteria, and these visa eligibility criteria will include having a job offer in Australia and meeting English language, health and character requirements. An offshore service provider will work directly with successful ballot entrants to connect them with employers in Australia, providing access to a variety of roles at a range of skill levels. The service provider will also guide successful entrants through the visa application process. It will also deliver culturally and linguistically relevant program outreach and help prepare visa holders for life in Australia.

While finding employment in Australia will be an important first step, we know the success of this initiative will ultimately depend on a positive settlement experience for each individual or family. That's why the government is extending supports and services to Pacific engagement visa holders upon their arrival in Australia. In addition to access to Australia's universal health care and public schooling systems, participants will be eligible for post-arrival settlement support through the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program. They will also have access to the Adult Migrant English Program.

We are committed to growing a vibrant and engaged diaspora through this visa. As such, it is important that participants are ensured basic levels of economic security. Subject to the passage of a separate bill, the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia's Engagement in the Pacific) Bill 2023, Pacific engagement visa holders will have access to benefits to support the cost of raising a family and ease the financial burden of education and training. This will include access to family tax benefit A and eligibility for a health care card and rent assistance. To promote opportunities for education, career development and economic mobility, participants will have access to the Higher Education Loan Program, VET student loans, Austudy and youth allowance payments. Access to education and training will broaden the scope of participation across a range of skill levels and experiences, addressing concerns in our region around brain drain.

I want to update the Senate on the role of the visa pre-application process, or ballot, in the Pacific engagement visa. There will be a two-stage process in applying for the visas. In the first stage, interested persons will register in a ballot. The ballot will then randomly select people to proceed to the second stage of applying for the visa. The use of a ballot is based on Pacific migration schemes that have successfully operated in New Zealand for decades. The ballot will give all interested Pacific islanders an equal chance of being selected to apply for a visa, regardless of skill levels. This will help avoid brain drain from Pacific countries. It will also reduce processing times and costs, making the visa more affordable and accessible for low-income Pacific nationals. The role of a ballot has been supported by Pacific governments as a way of avoiding brain drain and ensuring fairness in giving their people access to the new visa. In conclusion, the Pacific engagement visa is a key element in the government's policies for strengthening and deepening Australia's Pacific relationships. It will strengthen our links with the Pacific family and deepen our ties to the region that is our home and critical to our future.

Debate adjourned.

Ordered that resumption of debate be made an order of the day for the next sitting.