Helen Kroger (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Cash, move:

That the following matters be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 3 May 2012:

  (a)   the number of Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa applications and grants by post, officer, nationality, age of applicant and sponsor;

  (b)   the risk and incidence of fraud under the Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa program, including the incidence of cases where prospective marriages did not occur;

  (c)   the incidence of Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa applicants and sponsors who entered into an arranged marriage;

  (d)   the administration, application and effectiveness of eligibility criteria in relation to the Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa program, with a special focus on, but not limited to, protections against fraud, age differences, regard for cultural practices and relationship criteria;

  (e)   the sufficiency and suitability of assessment procedures to protect against fraud and to ascertain the reliability of consent of an applicant for a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa, where it is believed the applicant will be entering into an arranged marriage;

  (f)   whether current policies and practices of the Australian Government with regard to the Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa or other visa categories are facilitating forced marriages;

  (g)   the policies and practices that could strengthen protections against fraud and for women in other countries applying for a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa, from entering into a forced marriage; and

  (h)   any other related matters.

Question agreed to.