MEDIA RELEASE: TRICKY TURNBULL’S STEALTH ATTACK ON MIGRANT FAMILIES

TRICKY TURNBULL’S STEALTH ATTACK ON MIGRANT FAMILIES

MONDAY, 23 APRIL 2018
 
Labor is very concerned about the Turnbull Government’s latest stealth attack on hard-working migrant families. 
 
The Turnbull Government has made radical changes to the Assurance of Support (AoS) requirements for migrant families which commenced on 1 April 2018, without any community debate or consultation.
 
For example, if a couple in Australia wants to arrange for their parents to settle in Australia, they will need to earn a combined $115,475 a year, instead of $45,185.
 
A single person who wants to vouch for their parents will need to earn $86,606, rather than $45,185.40.
 
These are significant changes that will have a real impact on whether or not families are able to be reunited in Australia - this will have the biggest impact on hard-working migrant families. In many cases, people who have paid fees to make applications to give Assurances, on the basis that they have previously been eligible, will no longer be eligible under these new rules.
 
It’s unacceptable that the Turnbull Government has tried to avoid the proper scrutiny of these new rules.
 
In recent days Labor MPs have received many emails from angry families, particularly from Australia’s Chinese community.
 
This is just the latest attempt by the out of touch Turnbull Government to make life harder for multicultural communities around Australia.
 
From 1 July 2018, Mr Turnbull wants to make people who were not born in Australia wait longer before they are eligible to receive the Age Pension.
 
Currently, people who are born outside of Australia can receive the Age Pension after they have lived in Australia for 10 years, Mr Turnbull wants to increase the waiting period to 15 years.
 
Labor has opposed this cruel and unfair change to Age Pension eligibility.
 
The Turnbull Government’s policy fails to understand the value that new Australians bring to our community through their involvement with local organisations and the informal support that they provide to other family members.

THE HON TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
MEMBER FOR WATSON

JENNY MACKLIN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES
MEMBER FOR JAGAJAGA
 
SHAYNE NEUMANN MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND BORDER PROTECTION
MEMBER FOR BLAIR