The Migration Amendment (Charging for a Migration Outcome) Bill 2015 amends the Migration Act 1959 to establish a criminal and civil penalty regime to make it unlawful for a person to give or receive a benefit in return for a migration outcome in relation to certain skilled work visa programs; and enable visa cancellation to be considered where the visa holder has engaged such conduct.
Anti-Slavery Australia submits that the Migration Outcome Bill may operate to undermine the protection of trafficked people and hinder Australia’s efforts to combat human trafficking and slavery. The main concerns are that people will not identify themselves as victims if they are faced with having their visa cancelled and that the legislation will operate contrary to international and domestic laws which require us to identify and support victims of trafficking or slavery. Anti-Slavery Australia submits that the Bill operates to the detriment of victims and needs to provide a more centred approach.