ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN

SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER
SHADOW CABINET SECRETARY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES 

TIME TO SCRAP CRUEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE PARTNER VISA TEST

The Morrison Government’s cruel English language test for partner visas is wrong and must be scrapped.

Major concerns about the proposed English language test have been expressed by peak stakeholder organisations, warning it could make it harder for victims of domestic violence to seek help.

Advocates for victims of domestic and family violence have made clear that an English language test for partner visa applicants won’t help prevent domestic violence.

A joint submission by Harmony Alliance, inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence and Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention centre said the English language requirement could provide greater leverage for abusive partners, by preventing women from attending classes.

This is what happens when important policies are driven by prejudice, instead of evidence and listening to people most affected.

The new Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, must put an end to Peter Dutton’s addiction to playing politics with people’s lives.

Labor's Shadow Assistant Minister for Communities and the Prevention of Family Violence said "If the Morrison Government wants to keep women safe, they will need to do more than to reheat old and discredited policies. Instead they could take immediate steps to support women and children fleeing domestic violence.” This includes: 

• Passing Labor's Private Senators Bill to legislate for Paid Domestic Violence Leave;
• Stop cuts to services providing crisis accommodation for women and children fleeing violence;
• Properly fund frontline family and domestic violence services. 

The Shadow Minister Assisting for Immigration and Citizenship, Andrew Giles said at the end of 2020, there were 97,000 partner visa and 55,000 parent visa applications waiting to be processed. These are people waiting for the opportunity to begin, or continue, their lives with their loved ones in Australia.

“Australians and their partners, husbands, or wives can’t put down roots, get jobs, buy homes or build communities in Australia because of the Morrison Government’s go-slow approach to partner visa processing,” he said.

Labor understands that multiculturalism is one of Australia’s greatest achievements - Australia’s diversity is our strength.

SUNDAY, 4 APRIL 2021