Abusers already weaponise visas

Domestic violence advocates warn that Australia's migration system is already used as a tool of abuse, with perpetrators threatening visa cancellation, deportation or child separation.

Crackdown will embolden abusers

Immigration lawyer Ann Emmanuel, principal solicitor at NSW's Immigration Advice and Rights Centre, says stricter enforcement will hand perpetrators more power over their partners.

“In my view, the crackdown hands perpetrators more power”

Most clients face visa-related abuse

Ann Emmanuel estimated more than eighty percent of clients at Immigration Advice and Rights Centre's main legal practice faced immigration-related domestic and family violence issues.

Partners control visa applications

Perpetrators often control their partner's visa application process, passports and interactions with home affairs, leaving victims unaware they have become unlawful residents.

Government plans stricter enforcement

In his September seventeen National Press Club address, Immigration Minister Tony Burke flagged a return to pre-two thousand fifteen immigration policy placing visa overstayers in immigration detention centres.

Coalition proposes wider crackdown

The Coalition also proposed reinstating intelligence functions in Home Affairs to target overstayers, in a wider plan Angus Taylor called the biggest cut to immigration in Australian history.

“the biggest cut to immigration in Australian history”

Migrant women already fear threats

Immigrant Women's Speakout Association of NSW CEO Maria Kissouri says abusers are already using threats of deportation and detention, and the announcements add fuel to existing abuse.

“That's already been used and weaponised and this is adding fuel to it.”

Policy ignores why women overstay

University of Melbourne Professor Marie Segrave, who studies weaponisation of temporary visas, says politicians do not consider factors that lead women to overstay, and the policy strengthens abusers' leverage.

“It's actually strengthening the arm of perpetrators who are using women's visa statuses as leverage”

Current protections are piecemeal

In two thousand twenty four, the federal government introduced a safety net allowing applicants to apply for permanent residency without staying with their abuser, but it only applies to certain visas.

Advocates propose three-year visa

The National Advocacy Group on Women on Temporary Visas Experiencing Violence recommended introducing a new three-year visa allowing victim-survivors to work, study and access Medicare and social security payments.

Coalition open to practical proposals

Shadow Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Jonno Duniam said the Coalition had not announced such a visa but remained open to considering practical proposals that would improve protection for victim-survivors.