Promise check: Replace the Temporary Protection and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas with a new permanent protection visa

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to replace Temporary Protection and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas with a new permanent protection visa. Here's how that promise is tracking.

As part of the Coalition's suite of measures aimed at deterring asylum seekers, those who arrive in Australia without a valid visa and are found to be owed protection have not been given a permanent visa since changes to the Migration Act 1958 were made in 2014.

Instead they are given either a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV).

These visas are required to be renewed every three years in the case of TPVs and every five years in the case of SHEVs if the holder wishes to remain in Australia, though SHEV holders also have a path to permanent residency.

During the election campaign, then shadow home affairs minister Kristina Keneally stated Labor's policy on temporary visas in an interview on Sky News Australia:

"Our policy is to end TPVs because it is a costly, unnecessary bureaucratic process for no good outcome," she said.

Keneally clashes with Ray Hadley after Labor faces criticism over TPV stance

Watch Ms Keneally make the promise in an interview with Sky News.

Watch video on YouTube

In May 2022, there were 19,424 people covered by one of the two protection visas, and another 2,072 whose applications were being processed. This is often referred to as the "legacy caseload".

In a press conference during the election campaign, a journalist asked Ms Keneally which visa would be given to the 20,000 people in the legacy caseload if Labor were elected.

"A permanent protection visa," she responded.

Labor's election costings also contained a reference to the policy to remove TPVs as well as SHEVs. The line item reads:

"Abolish TPVs and SHEVs and create a new permanent visa."

Assessing the promise

If the government replaces both TPVs and SHEVs with a visa which offers permanent protection to asylum seekers, this promise will be considered delivered.

Here's how the promise is tracking:

19 May 2023

More Promises

Promise check: Increase child care subsidy rates

Before the election, Labor promised to increase child care subsidies for all families earning up to $530,000, as well as extend the increased subsidies to outside school hours care. Here's how the promise is tracking.

Promise check: Legislate 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to legislate 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave. Here's how the promise is tracking.

Promise check: Hold a referendum to constitutionally enshrine a Voice to Parliament in the first term

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to hold a referendum to constitutionally enshrine a Voice to Parliament in its first term. Here's how the promise is tracking.

Pharmacist holding medicine box and capsule pack in pharmacy drugstore.

Promise check: Reduce the maximum charge for PBS scripts by $12.50 from January 2023

At the 2022 election, Labor promised to reduce the maximum charge for PBS scripts by $12.50 from January 2023. Here's how that promise is tracking.

Load more +

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information

Promise check: Replace the Temporary Protection and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas with a new permanent protection visa