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Wednesday, 27 November 2019
Page: 5986

Mr WOOD (La Trobe—Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs) (10:12): I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The purpose of this bill is to amend the Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997, or the charge act.

The bill will ensure that a migration agent who originally applied for and had their registration as a non-commercial agent approved but who, at any point through that registration period, gives immigration assistance otherwise than on a non-commercial basis becomes liable to pay a pro-rata adjusted charge.

This will complement changes under the Migration Amendment (Regulation of Migration Agents) Bill 2019 that are aimed at ensuring that the non-commercial application charge can only be accessed by those applicants who will genuinely be offering immigration assistance services solely on a non-profit basis and in association with a charitable organisation or for the benefit of the Australian community.

The adjusted charge payable is to be worked out in accordance with the formula within the legislation.

These amendments will complement those I've just discussed in relation to an agent's notification requirements should they give immigration assistance otherwise than on a non-commercial basis at any point during their registration period.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this bill makes an important amendment in ensuring that only those agents who are providing genuinely non-commercial immigration assistance to the most vulnerable members of our community can access the non-commercial application charge.

I commend the bill to the chamber.

Debate adjourned.