ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
The Morrison Government’s plan to privatise Australia’s visa system has finally been scrapped.
Labor welcomes this decision because we have consistently argued that controlling Australia’s visa processing system is an essential function of government.
The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated the importance of the Australian Government retaining control of our borders and visa processing system.
At its core, privatising our visa system would have resulted in a tension between integrity and profit – it would have undermined Australia’s national security.
This is a win for the thousands of hard-working public servants who do vital work in keeping Australians safe.
It is disappointing that Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton spent $80 million of taxpayers' money to undertake a tendering process that is now being abandoned.
However Labor understands that this isn’t the time to play politics; it’s time to help people and show leadership.
We stand ready to work constructively with the government as Australia battles this global health crisis.