Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

I indicate the government's approach to this amendment. The government won't be opposing this amendment. We made it clear from the outset that it was the view of the government that the proposed cancellation power in the bill was unnecessary, as the Migration Act already provides the minister and departmental delegates with a range of cancellation powers in circumstances where the visa holder is of character concern. I think the debate, as we've heard, reflects some of that approach as well. The amendment, however, doesn't change the government's approach to the bill as a whole. As I indicated earlier, the government maintains its position that amending the incoming passenger card will be largely ineffectual and that recipients and organisers are highly likely to conceal and fail to declare accurate information. That was set out in much more detail by my colleague Senator Ciccone, and I'll rely upon his more detailed outline rather than trouble the chamber with it again.