Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

I refute the premise of the senator's question. These are not temporary protection visas; they are bridging visas. Of course, people on bridging visas may at some point be eligible for a permanent visa, but they will not be subject to any advantage if they arrive through irregular means—that is the difference. We will continue to regularly transfer people to Nauru and Manus Island, and will continue to return people when they do not engage in Australia's international obligations. Indeed, there have been a number of removals since 13 August and well over 250 people have been returned involuntarily to Sri Lanka. Arrangements for irregular maritime arrivals who are already in the community on bridging visas, and for those who arrived before 13 August, remain unchanged.