THE HON RICHARD MARLES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND BORDER PROTECTION
MEMBER FOR CORIO
MICHELLE ROWLAND MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTULRALISM
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS
MEMBER FOR GREENWAY
MEDIA RELEASE
MORRISON GETS IT WRONG ON FAMILY VISAS
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has misled the Australian public on the impact of the Abbott Government’s axing of the Non-contributory Parent visa and Other Family visa category.
In response to a question from the Shadow Immigration Minister on the abolishing of the visa scheme, Scott Morrison said:
“We have reduced the number of places for the non-contributing scheme. It hasn’t gone to zero at all.”
This is wrong. The Immigration Minister is either deliberately attempting to hoodwink the public or he is not across the basic details in his own portfolio.
His lack of detail is surprising given the Minister released an explanatory note which clearly outlines the visa categories he savaged:
Cutting the Non-contributory Parent visa category will close the door on low and middle-income families being able to bring their parents to Australia.
Cutting the Carer visa category will hurt families, making it expensive and difficult to arrange much needed care for family members.
This is an unfair and cruel move by a Government that is completely out of touch with ethnic communities. It means unless families can fork out up to $125,000 there is no chance of bringing their parents to Australia.
The Labor Opposition will continue to stand up for ethnic communities and has moved a disallowance motion to try and stop this harsh measure.
TUESDAY, 24 JUNE 2014
