Protecting victim-survivors of family violence must remain a central consideration in migration policy. As a signatory to this joint statement, South East Monash Legal Service joined legal and community organisations across Australia in opposing the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2021, arguing that the proposed changes risked causing unintended harm to victim-survivors of family violence.
The statement raised concerns that the Bill could increase the risk of detention, deportation, homelessness and family separation for vulnerable migrants, while also enabling perpetrators to misuse visa status as a tool of coercion and control.
