STATEMENT: PACIFIC ENGAGEMENT VISA

The Migration Amendment Bill 2023 has now passed both Houses.

We maintain that Australian citizenship is too valuable to be decided by lottery.

Now the Bill has passed, it will be up to the Government to demonstrate that the lottery mechanism and the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) serve the interests of both Australia and participating nations and that it has the support of Pacific nations.

The Coalition in government significantly increased Australia’s engagement with the Pacific, including expanding our diplomatic footprint to cover all Pacific Island Forum nations, and we offer bipartisan support to Government efforts to build on that record of engagement for our Pacific partners.

The Coalition will continue to support the Government’s efforts to strengthen ties in the Pacific.