Division Description Changes — Bills — Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2019; Second Reading — 18th Sep 2019

Change	Division
representatives vote 2019-09-18#2 Edited by mackay staff on 2019-09-20 11:56:56	Title Bills — Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2019; Second Reading Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2019 - Second Reading - Agree with bill's main idea Description ~~<p class="speaker">Tony Smith</p>~~ ~~<p>The question is that this bill be now read a second time.</p>~~ The majority voted in favour of a motion to agree with the main idea of the bill. In other words, they voted to read the bill for a [second time](https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/making-a-law.html). Because this vote was successful, the House will now discuss the bill in more detail. ### What is the bill's main idea? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1920a/20bd012), the purpose of the bill is to: > specify that a person does not pass the [character test](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character)—and may have their visa cancelled or visa application refused—if they have been convicted of a ‘designated offence’. A 'designated offence' is one that: > * involves one or more of a list of specified ‘physical elements’ and > * is punishable by a maximum or fixed term of imprisonment of not less than two years. Physical elements include violence against a person, non-consensual conduct of a sexual nature and using or possessing a weapon. It is broad enough to include conduct that is connected to such offences, such as aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of such an offence.

~~<p class="speaker">Tony Smith</p>~~
~~<p>The question is that this bill be now read a second time.</p>~~
The majority voted in favour of a motion to agree with the main idea of the bill. In other words, they voted to read the bill for a [second time](https://www.peo.gov.au/learning/fact-sheets/making-a-law.html). Because this vote was successful, the House will now discuss the bill in more detail.
### What is the bill's main idea?
According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1920a/20bd012), the purpose of the bill is to:
> *specify that a person does not pass the [character test](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character)—and may have their visa cancelled or visa application refused—if they have been convicted of a ‘designated offence’.*
A 'designated offence' is one that:
> * *involves one or more of a list of specified ‘physical elements’ and*
> * *is punishable by a maximum or fixed term of imprisonment of not less than two years.*
Physical elements include violence against a person, non-consensual conduct of a sexual nature and using or possessing a weapon. It is broad enough to include conduct that is connected to such offences, such as aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of such an offence.