Scrapping Temporary Protection Visas Opens Doors for People Smugglers: Shadow Home Affairs Minister

Scrapping Temporary Protection Visas Opens Doors for People Smugglers: Shadow Home Affairs Minister
Former Australian Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on June 8, 2021. Mark Evans/Getty Images
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The centre-left Labor government’s plan to scrap temporary protection visas poses a “real risk” to Australian borders as it would entice people smugglers and encourage illegal immigrants to enter the country, said Shadow Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews.

Under the Albanese government’s decision to abolish the temporary protection (TPV) and safe haven enterprise (SHEV), announced on Tuesday, about 19,000 refugees who have stayed in Australia for up to a decade will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

It would only apply to people arriving before Operation Sovereign Borders was established on Sep. 18, 2013. Operation Sovereign Borders, which was introduced by the Coalition, is a military-led border security operation set out to combat people smuggling and protect the country’s borders.

Australia’s temporary protection visa is for people who arrived in Australia without a visa and want to seek asylum.

During the Wednesday senate estimate, the Australian Navy revealed it has increased defence capability into Australia’s North as part of Operation Sovereign Borders to enhance border protection.

Andrews called the scrapping of TPVs a “bungled policy implementation by the missing Minister for Home Affairs,” adding that the minister has been clearly advised that Temporary Protection Visas are a key deterrent measure.

“Even if you try and package this up—so that only a certain group of people will now get the right or the ability to seek permanency here in Australia—you’re still sending a very clear message that the people smugglers will pick up. And they will interpret it, and they will prosecute to the people that they’re trying to get on boats,” she told Sky News on Thursday.

“The argument that Australia is open for business, that if you stay here long enough, you will get permanency here in Australia, that is what the people smugglers will say.”

She added that there has already been an increase in boat arrivals into or towards Australia, which is “very concerning.”

Rohingya refugees receive medical treatment at a temporary shelter in Pidie, Aceh province, Indonesia, after arriving via boat, Dec. 26, 2022. (Antara Foto/Joni Saputra/via Reuters)
Rohingya refugees receive medical treatment at a temporary shelter in Pidie, Aceh province, Indonesia, after arriving via boat, Dec. 26, 2022. Antara Foto/Joni Saputra/via Reuters
Nina Nguyen
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Nina Nguyen is a reporter based in Sydney. She covers Australian news with a focus on social, cultural, and identity issues. She is fluent in Vietnamese. Contact her at [email protected].
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