The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Albanese government's previous proposal to reform the immigration law had met with strong opposition from the immigrant community.
In order to pass a vote in Parliament, the bill will be amended with the support of the Coalition to make it easier for relatives and friends of migrants from "countries of concern" to enter Australia.
Under the previous proposal, if a country refuses to accept an asylum seeker who has failed to return to their home country, then the Minister for Immigration could make an order barring the entry of its citizens (including tourists). If the bill passes, Iraq, Iran, Russia, South Sudan and Zimbabwe are the most likely to become "removal concern countries."
After the plan was revealed, some lawmakers received hundreds of emails, and many voters expressed concerns about the reform. And last month, the immigration law reform plan failed to pass a congressional vote.
(Image source: Daily Mail)
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Jerome Laxale from Bennelong constituency is the first Labour backbencher to publicly voice concerns about the bill.
In a letter to voters, Laxale said he was concerned that the bill could "affect people visiting Australia" and urged them to submit submissions to the Senate Commission of Inquiry.
"In a country dominated by immigrants, I believe that Australian citizens should always reserve the right to welcome family and friends on holiday or for important ceremonies. ”
"I have been contacted by the local population to express similar views, which I have conveyed directly to the minister. ”
Bennelong MP Jerome Laxale (Picture: Sydney Morning Herald)
At the moment, several submissions to the Senate Commission of Inquiry have been made public, with submissions from the nonprofit organization AusIran calling the bill simply "ridiculous."
"This legislation could allow the Australian government to stop processing visa applications from Iranian citizens on the grounds that Iran is not cooperating with involuntary repatriation. This will profoundly affect those who wish to flee conflict and oppression. ”
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that close relatives of people with dual citizenship, Australian citizenship or permanent resident status will not be subject to the reform package.
A coalition source, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that opposition parties are expected to propose amendments after a Senate inquiry to strive for greater clarity and fairness and avoid multicultural communities being punished for policies in their country of origin.
Liberal Senator Paul Scarr (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Paul Scarr, the Liberal's spokesman for multicultural affairs, declined to comment on the proposed changes to the bill, but said several immigrant communities, including Iran, South Sudan, Zimbabwe and Kurdish, had raised significant concerns about the bill.
"During my tenure, it's not often that immigrant communities raise such concerns about a piece of legislation. ”
A number of Labour and Coalition MPs said they had received opposition from various immigration groups. James Paterson, the Liberal's spokesman for political affairs, said some lawmakers had even received more than 500 emails.
One Labour MP, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that some colleagues feared that banning a country's citizens would "discredit everyone" and that MPs would prefer the government to target certain visas rather than nationality.
"This could have political consequences, it could hurt the Labour Party, and we are alienating a group that has traditionally supported the Labour government. ”
澳洲内政部长Claire O'Neil(图片来源:《每日邮报》)
On Tuesday, a small group of protesters demonstrated outside Home Secretary O'Neil's office in Melbourne.
One protester said the Labor government's proposal was "inhumane" and that he himself was a boat man who came to Australia in 2013 and would face persecution if returned to Iran.
"We are good for this society, we are useful, and we are proud to live here...... We want to call this land home. ”
Wonder Chimonyo, an academic and community leader in Zimbabwe in Queensland, said the proposed exemption was too narrow.
"Many relatives and friends of migrants will not be able to come to Australia for important family events, such as weddings and funerals, because they will not be able to obtain visas. ”