Visitor Visas

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:29): I rise to speak about an important matter concerning many ethnic communities. These communities are calling on the federal government to allow their overseas parents to spend a longer period in Australia while they are visiting their children.

Almost 30 per cent of Australian residents were born overseas. Our prosperity, security and wellbeing as a nation depends on how successfully these migrants integrate within society. A common feature within ethnic communities is traditional joint family living arrangements. Coming from a Vietnamese background, I know from experience that strong family ties are formed between parents and children in these intergenerational households. Many migrants are therefore unprepared for the impact of the transition from a joint to nuclear family. When they settle in Australia, the loss of their support network can be extremely difficult, resulting in a destabilising effect on family cohesion and functionality.

Migrants are learning to manage work, household tasks and childcare as well as battling the isolation caused by resettlement. Having their parents live in the home for a longer period to assist with childcare would lessen the pressures faced by these migrants. In many cultures, children have a duty to care for their parents. When migrants are unable to fulfil this duty due to their parents being left in their homeland, they can experience immense anxiety and guilt. This is disruptive to their work and social life, yet, in reality, migrants simply cannot regularly return to their homeland to take care of their parents.

Furthermore, there is an inherent expectation in many cultures that grandparents have a meaningful relationship with their grandchildren. Traditionally grandparents impart cultural knowledge and values. Their presence in the family home would help Australian-born children of new migrants to establish a personal identity.

Currently applicants outside Australia who meet certain criteria may be granted a multiple-entry visitor visa for a period of three years with a maximum continuous stay of 12 months. The visa holder must depart within 12 months and remain outside of Australia for at least six months before re-entering. I support amending the visitor visa scheme to allow eligible parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents a continuous period of stay longer than the current 12 months, and reducing the minimum period of stay outside of Australia. Waiting six months before re-entering is too long.

So far, the Long Stay Visa for Parents petition has gathered over 27,000 signatures in a short period. We should recognise the economic benefits of the proposed changes. The petition proposes compulsory health insurance for visiting parents. This would inject millions into the insurance industry in Australia. Visitors will also boost our economy, particularly in the tourism, food and hospitality industry.

Australia is a nation built on a strong migrant spirit and is known for its compassion. This change will strengthen our Australian family values. I commend Mr Arvind Duggal, founding member of the Long Stay Visa for Parents Action Group, along with the committee members Mr Rocky Kailay and Mr Daniel Connell, for campaigning on behalf of the Indian community about this matter over the past 18 months. I also thank Mr Bharat Kainth, secretary of the United Taxi Association for discussing this important matter with me on behalf of the association. American writer, Jenji Kohan, once said, and I quote:

Home is where your family is. Whereever you are, it's about the people you are surrounded by, not necessarily where you lay your head.

This is a sentiment shared by many migrants. Along with the migrant community in Australia, I urge the federal government, whether Labor or Liberal, to support this change.