Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

I thank members for contributing to the debate on the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016. The bill amends the Migration Act 1958 to strengthen provisions to reduce family violence within visa programs and the Australian community. It builds on work the government has already undertaken to provide information, in the form of predeparture pack to support visa applicants coming to Australia, which clearly states that family violence is unacceptable in Australia.

A key element of this bill is that it puts in place a framework that will require a person seeking to sponsor an applicant for a family stream visa to be assessed and approved before a visa application can be made. In addition the bill requires responses to agree that the results of their character checks may be shared with the person they are sponsoring so that that person can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with their application or not, especially in circumstances where there are children involved in the application.

The amendments are an important part of the government's initiative to ensure that women and their families are safe from violence. The amendments supported and deliver on important elements of the second action plan in the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

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