Labor’s proposed temporary parent visas are a definite inclusion on the shortlist. Last year, there was no formal release of this policy by Labor. In fact, Labor had gone along with the Coalition’s limited temporary parent visa arrangement that was legislated last year.
This new scheme is capped at 15,000 a year, is limited to two parents a family and the sponsoring permanent resident/citizen must have a family income of at least $83,000 a year. Costing $10,000 per applicant for five years, the temporary parent visas can only be renewed from offshore for another five years.
Without warning, Labor this year began to lob harsh criticisms at the Coalition’s policy, describing it as “heartless, callous and cruel”. This was an example of extreme overkill, given that the Coalition’s policy is among the most generous in the developed world. But sensing the opportunity to secure some seats with high migrant populations — Chisholm, Reid, Bennelong and Barton — Labor has proposed one of the most egregious and expensive policy initiatives outlined during any election campaign.
We need to be grateful to Bob Birrell, who has dispassionately laid out the facts in relation to Labor’s proposed temporary parent visas. The plan is that there will be no cap on the number of visas that can be granted and that the cost will be $2500 per applicant for five years with scope to renew while still in Australia. Families will not be limited to two parents and there is no mention of a minimum family income.
It is not entirely clear at this stage what the entitlements of those in temporary parent visas will be. Will they be eligible for a Medicare card? Will they be eligible to receive the Age Pension?
It is difficult to put a precise figure on the numbers who will enter the country under Labor’s scheme. Birrell suggests around 200,000 over the next three years is possible. They will mainly come from China, India and the Middle East and will settle in Melbourne and Sydney because that is where the sponsoring families live.
Birrell makes the point that Labor’s parent visas amounts to a repudiation of the direction of immigration policy that has been established over the past several decades — an emphasis on young skilled migrants and a reduced role for family reunion.
He concludes by saying: “It would be nice to allow Australians of Asian descent to bring their parents here. But these residents knew what the rules were when they came to Australia. They know that no other Western country provides anything like the open-door policy that Labor’s proposal offers.
“As for Australia’s majority non-migrant community, they will have good cause to be concerned about the proposal once they understand the likely numbers involved. The influx will add to the urban congestion and to the fiscal costs of accommodating Australia’s rapidly growing population.”
But here’s the thing: the Coalition government has had nothing to say about Labor’s shocking policy proposal which, in itself, tells you a lot.
Why can’t climate ideologues see the benefits of gas exports?
Our gas sector supports our economy and strengthens our sovereignty. If we abandon it in favour of political theatre, we don’t just lose market share, we lose credibility.
How do we turn around our shrinking heartland?
While coastal Australia booms, an area larger than India has quietly lost 3000 residents every year for two decades.
When it comes to the policy hall of shame, there is always stiff competition for the top slots during an election campaign. This campaign has been no exception.