The centre-left Labor government’s plan to scrap temporary protection visas poses a “real risk” to Australian borders as it would entice people smugglers and encourage illegal immigrants to enter the country, said Shadow Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews.
Under the Albanese government’s decision to abolish the temporary protection (TPV) and safe haven enterprise (SHEV), announced on Tuesday, about 19,000 refugees who have stayed in Australia for up to a decade will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
It would only apply to people arriving before Operation Sovereign Borders was established on Sep. 18, 2013. Operation Sovereign Borders, which was introduced by the Coalition, is a military-led border security operation set out to combat people smuggling and protect the country’s borders….