13th Feb 2020, 12:07 PM – Senate Motions - Migration - Condemn Government

The majority voted in favour of a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Anne Urquhart (Labor), which means it passed. Motions like these don't make legal changes on their own but are politically influential because they represent the will of the Senate.

Motion text

That the Senate:

(a) notes that the Migration Amendment (New Skilled Regional Visas) Regulations 2019 created new skilled regional provisional visas that began accepting applicants in November 2019;

(b) recognises that the Government has:

(i) appointed Regional Certifying Bodies (RCB) in each state and territory to provide advice and information to the Department of Home Affairs about local labour market conditions and other relevant regional matters,

(ii) nominated local Chambers of Commerce and Industry across Queensland to act as RCB,

(iii) failed to explain how actual or perceived conflicts of interest can be resolved when Queensland Chambers of Commerce and Industry are assessing and certifying applications for new regional provisional visas from their own members, and

(iv) failed to allow consideration of the New Skilled Regional Visas (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019, despite it being on the Notice Paper since October 2019; and

(c) condemns the Federal Government for its failure to consult with unions and other employee groups prior to the appointment of RCB in Queensland.