The Greens have today tabled legislation to extend and reinstate the temporary visas of people who were stranded overseas because of international border closures.

“Tens of thousands of temporary visa holders, including people with established homes, jobs and in some cases partners in Australia, were overseas when Australia’s international borders closed due to Covid-19,” Greens Immigration Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

The Australian government should develop and publicly release criteria for temporary visa holders to be allowed to return to Australia.
 
During the COVID-19 select committee hearing today it was revealed that Australian Border Force officials have no criteria for granting exemptions to the travel ban for ‘compelling and compassionate’ grounds.
 
“The decision making on this has been completely arbitrary, leaving hundreds of people stranded overseas, despite holding valid visas,” Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
 

Australian Greens Senator for NSW and Education spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi has said that the federal government has abandoned international students to the risk of poverty and homelessness. Today the government confirmed it would provide no financial support for international student visa holders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Faruqi has called for income support for international students during the COVID-19 crisis.

Senator Faruqi said:

Changes to family reunion visa requirements are an attack on families and a cut to Australia’s immigration levels by stealth, Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim says.

“It is already too expensive and takes too long for families to be reunited through Australia’s visa system,” Senator McKim said.

“By more than doubling the financial requirements for family reunion visas, Peter Dutton is robbing families of the chance to be together unless they are very well off.”

“It is a slap in the face for migrant families, and a cut to immigration levels by stealth.”

The Greens will move to amend Australia's visa laws to give Parliament the power to block foreign leaders from visiting Australia on the grounds of character.

"Parliament is sovereign in this country," Greens Immigration spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said

"Consistent with our position that Parliament should have the final say on Australia going to war, we believe that Parliament should have the right to refuse entry to, or deport, foreign leaders on the basis of their character."

"This issue has been crystallised for us by Donald Trump becoming US President."

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's proposed visa changes are deeply xenophobic and a continuation of his attack on multiculturalism in Australia.

"This nothing less than a blueprint to return our country to the divisive days of the White Australia Policy," Greens Immigration spokesperson Nick McKim said.

"As the Department of Social Services noted, this proposal will 'undermine Australia's social cohesion' and create a two-tiered society."

"This will increase the risk factors that cause violent extremism."