Coalition To Restore Integrity And Common Sense To Migration

Living in Australia is a hard-won privilege; however, under the Albanese Labor Government, the migration system has been left in a state of chaos where numbers are too high and standards are far too low. The Coalition is drawing a line in the sand with the launch of the Australian Values Migration Plan: a decisive package designed to ensure that those seeking to call our nation home actually share the values, laws, and freedoms that make Australia great.

This initial package forms the first stage of a comprehensive plan to strengthen Australia’s borders, with further measures to be developed and announced throughout the term. These policies are designed to shut the door on those who abuse the system and show a red light to radicals who do not share the Australian way of life.

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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, said the Coalition is committed to protecting the Australian way of life and restoring confidence in the nation’s migration program.

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“Since Labor took office, the migration program has lacked direction: numbers have soared while standards have plummeted,” Mr Willcox said.

“The Coalition’s plan will restore integrity and ensure our migration system serves the national interest.

“Living in Australia is a privilege, not a right: those who come here must respect our laws, share our values, and contribute to our nation.

“We are pursuing a values-based system that puts Australia first; this means closing the door to those who do not respect our country or who attempt to exploit our legal system to stay here illegally.

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”The first instalment of the Coalition’s Australian Values Migration Plan includes three key measures:

1. Putting Australian Values First The Coalition will place Australian values at the centre of migration laws by making compliance with the Australian Values Statement a universal, binding visa condition. Under this plan, the Coalition will:

• Make compliance with the Australian Values Statement a binding requirement for all visa holders.

• Enable visas to be refused or cancelled where individuals fail to uphold these values.

• Codify breaches of the Australian Values Statement as a ground for failing the Character Test under the Migration Act 1958: this will lead to removal from the country.  

• Prioritise demonstrated alignment with Australian values when assessing permanent visa applications.

• Prioritise taxpayer support for home ownership for Australian citizens and ensure non- citizens wait longer for access to the social security system.

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2. Shutting the Door to System Abuse The Coalition will implement decisive measures to deter unfounded claims and enforce Australian law. This includes:

• Introducing a Safe Country List to fast-track the refusal of unfounded protection claims from places deemed safe.

• Restoring Temporary Protection Visas and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas for those who arrive unlawfully or under false pretences.

• Providing additional funding to law enforcement to identify, deport, and remove the 65,000 unlawful non-citizens who currently have no legal right to remain in Australia.

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3. Showing a Red Light to Radicals The Coalition will strengthen screening processes to prevent extremists and security risks from entering the country. This includes:

• Establishing an Enhanced Screening Coordination Centre within the Department of

• Home Affairs to make social media screening a standard vetting feature.

• Integrating intelligence and enforcement capabilities across agencies: including ASIO, the AFP, and the Australian Border Force.

• Enabling real-time, risk-based visa vetting to identify and block individuals who pose a threat to Australia.

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Further measures under the Australian Values Migration Plan will be announced in the months ahead.

Contributed with thanks to the office of Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox

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