Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) since Australia's borders closed on 20 March 2020 many thousands of temporary visa holders have been separated from their families, jobs, and homes,

  (ii) temporary visa holders contribute significantly to the Australian economy, having invested their time, energy, skills, and passion into Australia – they are part of our communities, our schools, and our businesses,

  (iii) many temporary visa holders were invited to Australia under our skilled migration program, and

  (iv) temporary visa holders returning to their families, jobs and homes in Australia will be subject to the same mandatory quarantine arrangements as Australian citizens and permanent residents returning to Australia; and

(b) calls on the Government to grant 'inwards' travel exemptions for all temporary visa holders who are separated from either their immediate family (including children, partners, and spouses), their established homes, or their jobs in Australia, in line with available daily travel caps set by states and territories.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Decisions to grant exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and must be balanced against the potential health risks posed to the Australian community by international travellers. The Australian Border Force is working with state and territory governments to maximise the number of returning Australians, particularly those Australians considered vulnerable or suffering hardship. Australian citizens must be our first priority. Temporary visa holders may apply for an exemption to enter Australia if they have a compelling reason. Exemptions are considered on their merits, based on all of the relevant facts and, of course, also supporting evidence.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor will not be supporting this motion. While we appreciate the intent of the motion, we don't believe that the blanket granting of exemptions is an appropriate way to handle the cases of those temporary migrants wishing to return to Australia. There are a range of issues facing temporary migrants at the moment, starting with those currently living in Australia. There are also 18,000 Australian citizens stranded overseas who are trying to get home, with 15 per cent of those classified as vulnerable according to the Department of Home Affairs. They, along with the many Australians and migrants in Australia facing difficult times ahead, need to be the Senate's priority.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 765, in the name of Senator McKim, be agreed to.