Opting out of Pacific Engagement Visa

Question

Senator COLLINS: Was the sticking point that part about the temporary workers applying for the permanent visa while they're here? Senator Wong: I think it's safe to say that, under Mr Dutton, there were a range of views put. Some people put that view; some put a much more in-principle opposition view. I would not even say 'in principle'-a broader opposition to it. I don't propose to traverse all of that. I just think it would be a good thing if there was agreement on both sides. Senator COLLINS: I also am not here to look to the past; I'm just interested to see how it's going. I think it's a good scheme. My understanding is that when the scheme first started there was huge interest from right across the region, but mostly from Fiji. I think 50,000 people applied for it or something-10,000 from Papua New Guinea. It really surprised me to see such a huge difference in the population but also such a huge difference in the interest. Are you still seeing those huge numbers of people apply? What's the strike rate-for want of a better word-for the people entering the lottery and coming to Australia? Ms Hutton: As we expected, there was considerable interest in the Pacific engagement visa, even prior to it commencing. In the first year we had around 56,000 people who applied in the ballots. That includes family members as well. That number actually increased in the second year, up to around 61,000. We saw high levels of interest across the participating countries, not just in Fiji. Senator COLLINS: Given your experience with the numbers and the interest that you're getting from the countries-an imbalanced interest, with some countries more interested than others-have you adjusted the rationing to these countries? Ms Hutton: The 3,000 visas are allocated on a country basis each year. That's done in very close consultation with our Pacific island country partners. Senator COLLINS: Have any countries asked for more spaces in the program? Ms Hutton: Yes, they have. Senator COLLINS: Would you say most of them? Ms Hutton: A number have, not universally so. As I said, it's a sovereign choice for each country, and each country needs to find their own balance in the different pathways that not just Australia offers but other countries also offer. Senator COLLINS: Have any opted out? Ms Hutton: A number of countries have opted out. Senator COLLINS: Since the program started, or before? Ms Hutton: In the first program year and in the second program year. Senator COLLINS: Which countries are not in the program anymore? Ms Hutton: We're about to move into the third program year, the 2026-27 year. We're finalising those arrangements at the moment, so we don't yet know which countries will participate in 2026-27. Senator COLLINS: What about in the second year? Which countries opted out in the second year? Ms Hutton: I don't have those details in front of me, but I can take them on notice.

Answer

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