Direction 110: Key change to botched immigration law comes into effect as under-pressure minister claims it will make visa decisions ‘crystal clear’
A new immigration direction, known as direction 110, will be introduced within weeks and will give greater weight to community safety in visa decisions.
A controversial immigration direction has been overhauled in a bid to prioritize community safety.
Direction 99, which gave priority to a foreigner’s ties to Australia when making visa decisions, has been withdrawn with a new measure – Direction 110 – coming into effect from June 21.
Direction 110 will give greater weight to community safety when appeals tribunals make decisions on visa cancellations.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles had come under pressure after the Administrative Appeals Tribunal overturned several visa decisions under direction 99, despite foreigners being found guilty of serious crimes in these cases.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles had come under pressure after the Administrative Appeals Tribunal overturned several visa decisions under direction 99, despite foreigners being found guilty of serious crimes in the cases.
“The new revised direction will make it crystal clear that the Australian government expects community protection to be given more weight when it comes to visa decisions,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.
“It also elevates the impact on victims of domestic violence and their families to one of the existing primary considerations.”
Several visa cancellation appeals will continue to be heard under Directive 99. (Jeremy Piper/AAP PHOTOS)
Mr Giles said there were 10 cases still before the Court of Appeal that would be heard under the existing Directive 99.
The minister said he would keep a close eye on the cases if the tribunal decided to reinstate the canceled visas.
“Where necessary, I will consider visa revocation in the national interest,” he said.
Direction 99 was formed following concerns from the New Zealand government that too many Kiwis were being deported despite having no ties to the nation.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had expressed concern about the federal government’s decision to review Direction 99.
“We must send a clear signal to decision makers that decisions must be made based on common sense and the protection of the Australian community. That is what the direction is about,” Mr Giles said.
