Current Affairs
Tas Govt to Support Temporary Visa Holders
The Tasmanian government has announced measures to support temporary visa holders (TVH) in the state. The Premier unveiled the four-point plan in his media conference this morning.
The announcement came after no support has been provided by the federal government, leading to hardship among foreign nationals on temporary visas.
“We will not turn our back on temporary visa holders in our state,” said Premier Peter Gutwein.
He said he understood there are a significant number of temporary visa holders in Tasmania – an estimated 26,000 including students, fruit pickers and skilled workers such as chefs and health workers – who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus restrictions in place.
“We know they are experiencing hardship and income loss as a result,” Gutwein said. “In some cases due to business closures and the restrictions we have in place their incomes have now been stopped or have been severely curtailed.”
The four points of the plan include:
- extension of the eligibility for Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants, if a TVH can demonstrate genuine financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This will provide an immediate payment of $250 per individual or up to $1000 per family.
- additional funding to non-government organisations to provide additional emergency relief and assistance where required.
- for those whose country is safe to return to, the provision of travel advice, and if necessary due to genuine financial hardship case-by-case financial support.
- collaboration with industry sectors or employers who want to retain their employees because of their specialist skills in the state for when their business is able to start up again and additional support in partnership with them so needed skilled workers are not lost.
Up to $3 million will be allocated towards this initiative.
“We know that many Tasmanian businesses have benefited from employing temporary skilled visa holders, and those on other types of temporary visas also make a significant contribution to our economy, particularly to the tourism and education sectors,” said the Premier.
He said TVH had contributed to making Tasmania what it was, and that it is “fair to support them in their hour of need.”
He also indicated he did not agree with the ‘extremely simple’ message from the Prime Minister that stranded visa workers should simply go home. Due to border closures, he noted, in many cases it was simply not possible.
“The impacts of coronavirus have been widespread and there are many people doing it tough right now. We are committed to further consultation with key industry sectors to determine if there are any additional needs, because we strongly believe the support we provide to temporary workers and international students now will directly affect how these sectors recover post-pandemic.”
For information on emergency support, such as the Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants, visit: www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
To register interest in support to return to your country of origin, call the public health hotline on 1800 671 738 by 23 May 2020.
Niall Harden, a British national from Northern Ireland who was working at MONA, said the support was extremely welcome. “It’s nice to have the state governments across the country stepping up where the federal government has failed but it shouldn’t be necessary.”
He noted that the support amount is equivalent to $115, ‘which of course isn’t the point but is illustrative’.
The United Workers Union welcomed the news after having written to Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein last week highlighting the ‘heartbreaking situation of migrant members in crisis’. The UWU called on Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg to take notice of the move.
“This is a reflection of an inclusive and caring Tasmania,” said Jannette Armstrong, United Workers Union Tasmanian spokesperson. “It’s now time for the Federal Government to also implement supportive measures for temporary migrant workers nationwide.”
Greens Senator McKim said that moves by the Tasmanian and South Australian governments to support some temporary visa holders are welcome, but it should be the federal government taking this action.
“The federal government has the resources to help and direct responsibility for Australia’s visa system. People who hold temporary visas need proper income support and access to Medicare, both of which are federal responsibilities.”
H said the Tasmanian Premier is correct about many people needing support and not being able to ‘simply go home’ at the moment.
“It should not just be left to the states to help those who have been hurt by Scott Morrison’s callous indifference.”
Madeleine Ogilvie, Independent MHA for Clark, said she was delighted to welcome the news of Tasmanian support for visa holders today.
“I have lobbied hard to make this happen. We have an obligation to help people who are stuck here,” she said.
“This emergency has seen terrible impacts to so many people. Through no fault of their own, international students, visitors and workers have been caught up in the crisis. My office has been inundated with requests for help. I have been quite literally dropping grocery vouchers to people in serious trouble – that’s the level of economic distress.”
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the announcement of state government support for temporary visa holders is welcome but more would be required to help people through the remainder of the pandemic.
“The Premier’s decision to extend eligibility for the Pandemic Isolation Assistance grants to Tasmania’s 26,000 temporary visa holders is a positive step,” White said. “But, with only $250 available for individuals and $1000 for families, this is clearly not enough to provide ongoing support.”
White mentioned a visa holder who came to Tasmania with his wife to start a new life. “With a new baby to support, John Juchem was in secure employment, valued by his employer and contributing to the community, but when the business was forced to close because of COVID-19, John lost his only source of income,” she explained.
“Through no fault of his own, John has been left without a job, without income, and relying on the savings he had set aside to help the family manage through the first year of the baby’s life while John’s wife was not working.”
She said families such as his had been abandoned by the Federal government .
“This is, sadly, just one example of the enormous effect this virus is having on everyday people in our community.”