Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 8 May 2012:

(1) How many irregular maritime arrivals have there been since 1 January 2008.

(2) How many: (a) family reunion; and (b) humanitarian visas have been issued to their dependents or other relatives who subsequently arrived (either by air or by sea).

Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Since 1 January 2008, there have been 18,685 irregular maritime arrivals taken into immigration detention (as at close of business 24 June 2012).

(2) (a) The very detailed information sought in the question is not readily available in consolidated form and it would be a major task to collect and assemble it. It is not considered that the considerable human resources required to obtain the information can be justified.

(b) The number of persons granted a Global Special Humanitarian Visa (Subclass 202) where the proposer was an irregular maritime arrival, by program year of grant 2007 – 2008 to 2011-12 year to date

Notes:

1. The 2011-12 program year to date is to 31 March 2012. Data for the 2011–12 program year was extracted from departmental systems on 08 June 2012.

2. Data for 2007–08 to 2010–11 were extracted from Departmental systems on 30 June 2011.

3. Includes immediate family of former subclass 447 and 451 holders as well as immediate family of subclass 866 (Protection Visa) holders and may include immediate family of a small number of unauthorised air arrivals.