Notes from the BERIA Meeting with the Minister for Immigration, Senator Chris Evans (8 April 2008)

Chris Evans confirmed he is keen to find a “pathway to citizenship” for 410 visa holders, and that the cost issue, as seen by the Treasury, is the main hurdle.  He seemed impressed by BERIA as an effective lobbying group, with an increasing and dedicated membership that “seems to be in evidence everywhere I go”.

Chris clarified the issue of a permanent visa with a separate set of conditions (eg the maintenance of private health insurance) saying that he had agreed with the advice from his Department that that permanent residence should offer the same benefits to all, and not differentiate any particular group.

I added information about the changes in the tax rules which had been raised in a previous meeting he had with AIR last week.  We understand that the changes apply to all temporary visa holders, and that while we can provide detailed estimates of additional potential tax income (using BERIA database information) we would expect him to use this, and any other information we might be able to provide on financial benefits, only as part of our case to offset or minimise the potential health and welfare costs, and not in isolation.  Initial very crude estimates are in the region of $47 to $50 million a year but this is likely to be a conservative figure.

On potential health costs ($40 million a year?) I assured him that we had had a 100% response to continuing with health insurance in the event of permanent residence which will significantly reduce the overall figure, and also gave him figures on those who wanted to join the workforce and work more than 20 hours a week (and details of their job skills and qualifications – many of which are in the list of jobs in demand). 

Chris saw no logic in the work restrictions, and promised to look into these, as he saw any additions to the workforce as a positive benefit to Australia. Chris has already proposed to the Treasury minor enhancements to the visa which may ease a couple of the visa conditions, although he stressed that the proposals may not be approved, and would, in any case, be minor.  While we appreciate any improvements in the short term, our main aim is permanent residence, and hope that his proposals for enhancements are seen as part of the wider process of assessing the possibility of permanent residence!

We still have more work to do on private health insurance and on welfare costs, and on the phasing in of costs.  BERIA at this stage is not making proposals for permanent residence based on a specific qualifying period, but would be prepared to discuss a range of options.  If a qualifying period were to become a requirement, additional research from the BERIA database will highlight the impact this might have on spreading the costs over a period of time, as we have accurate figures on age groups and length of residence in Australia. 

Chris seemed fairly impressed by the detail and accuracy and availability of the data he has received from us so far, and will continue to query the latest figures on 410 visa holders in the country which seem to have reversed the previous downward trend since the closure of the visa to new applicants three years ago.

Conclusion & Next Steps

• The campaign for permanent residence will continue to be an uphill struggle, especially with the Treasury, but today’s meeting was a very positive and constructive one, and moved things forward in a practical way, identifying and agreeing clearly defined next steps.

·         Chris explained that his plan is to have enough information to present a case for permanent residence for 410 visa holders prior to next year’s Budget. 

·         We will provide him with a detailed assessment of potential costs, together with any compensating income and other benefits, including specific cost projections based on data from official sources, and income projections based on accurate and verifiable information from the BERIA database.

·         We will seek a follow up meeting with him to discuss these figures and the next steps.

John Wittering

8 April 2008