Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, Senator Cash. It's been reported in the Herald Sun today that the member for Chisholm promised she would write references for foreign students which could lead to permanent residency, in return for volunteering on her campaign. Minister, is this an appropriate use of Australia's immigration system?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. I have to say it's disappointing that you took it from your question time team, because I thought that you of all people had more integrity than that. This is nothing more and nothing less than an attack on a member of parliament who has been validly elected by the people of Chisholm. In relation to the article in the Herald Sun, I say this to the Senator: under our immigration system all visa applicants' individual assessments are assessed against all legal requirements. That happens to be a fact. That is what happens. So, Senator, in answer to your question, this is all about more personal attacks on a member of parliament who has been validly elected by the people in her electorate.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Wong, on a point of order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is on direct relevance. There is a public allegation—the senator is not making the allegation—that the member for Chisholm promised references as, I suppose, an inducement or encouragement for volunteers on her campaign. The question is whether that's an appropriate use of Australia's immigration system.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order, I believe the minister's observations about the operation of the visa system were directly relevant to the question. I believe those are directly relevant to the question. To range outside that policy portfolio area would not be directly relevant to the question. Senator Cash?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) | Link to this | Hansard source

I've finished now.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

The answer is completed. Senator Ciccone, a supplementary question?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Has the member for Chisholm made any representations directly via either phone or email or in writing to the Minister for Home Affairs or the minister for immigration regarding the permanent residency or other visa related matters of individuals who volunteered on her campaign?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, in response to the senator's question, the way our immigration system works is, if a particular member or senator makes a representation to the minister—and I can assure you that, if you look at your own side, there will be plenty there who have made representations—that representation is assessed in accordance with all legal requirements. This is nothing more and nothing less than an attack on the personal integrity of the member for Chisholm, validly elected, whether you like it or not, by the people of Chisholm.

Scott Ryan (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ciccone, a final supplementary question?

Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the minister support the member for Chisholm's visas for volunteers program?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business) | Link to this | Hansard source

You are putting words into someone else's mouth. I support Gladys Liu as the member for Chisholm. And, again, in relation to visas and the immigration system, there is a system in place. All visa applicants are assessed. Their application is looked at and it is assessed in accordance with the legal requirements.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.