Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to inform the chamber that Senator McKim will be co-sponsoring this motion with me. I, and also on behalf of Senator McKim, move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) 2020 has been an incredibly tough year for temporary visa holders in Australia, including migrant workers and international students,

(ii) according to the Migrant Worker Justice Initiative, 70% of temporary visa holders lost their jobs or most of their hours after the pandemic hit in March,

(iii) temporary visa holders were excluded from income support and the Coronavirus Supplement, and have been forced to rely on charity and line up at food banks in order to survive,

(iv) without jobs or income support, many temporary visa holders turned to precarious and dangerous food delivery work, and at least five have been killed on the roads since September, and

(v) women on temporary visas are particularly at risk of being trapped in violent or abusive relationships, and at least three international student women have been killed this year; and

(b) calls on the government to provide a social safety net for temporary visa holders, and ensure that 2021 is a better year for migrants living in Australia.

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.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-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

The Australian social security system is a non-contributory, residence based program designed primarily to support Australian citizens and permanent residents. There has always been an expectation that temporary visa holders are able to support themselves while in Australia. Temporary visa holders who are unable to support themselves under these arrangements are strongly encouraged to return home. Most temporary visa holders with work rights were given access to their superannuation until 1 July 2020 to help support themselves. The government has provided $13 million to the Australian Red Cross to deliver emergency relief support, which is helping more than 50,000 temporary migrants. Those on temporary visas who are experiencing domestic and family violence are able to access existing national services that received extra Commonwealth funding, including 1800RESPECT, specialised family violence services and the trafficked people program.

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.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-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

The opposition will be supporting section (a) of this motion, but in relation to section (b) we can't, and I would ask that the question be put on the parts separately. This is a point I've raised a number of times in this place. This part of the program is meant to be for straightforward and non-controversial items that don't require debate. In a party of government, when there is a section which calls for change that involves a considerable amount of money, we go through our own processes. It won't be determined by a Greens motion in this place, and it is not the appropriate place to do that. This is something where debate should be allowed and where there is discussion. It is not a yes or no question. In the interest of getting through this part of the program, we'll just ask that those questions be put separately.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that part (a) of general business notice of motion No. 910, standing in the name of Senator Faruqi, be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

We now move to paragraph (b). The question now is that general business notice of motion No. 910 standing in the name of Senator Faruqi, paragraph (b), be agreed to.