Labor’s announcement that it would introduce a Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) to provide Pacific Island citizens with 3,000 permanent resident visas annually has been warmly welcomed in the region. Good progress was made with the new visa, with crucial details released at the start of the year, but it is now clear that the target starting date of 1 July has been missed.
The legislation to enable the PEV passed through the House of Representatives in March, and was tabled for consideration in the Senate in June. However, it never made it to the Senate floor.
While all parties have expressed support for the PEV in principle, the sticking point has become the lottery behind the visa. Labor has modelled the PEV on equivalent New Zealand lottery-based Pacific visas (the Samoa Quota and Pacific Access Category visas). The Coalition has opposed the introduction of a lottery into Australia’s migration system, meaning that the prospects for the actual introduction of the PEV are now in the hands of the Senate crossbench.
The Greens and the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) have indicated their support for the PEV. The Greens have proposed (in the report of the Senate committee established to scrutinise the bill) an amendment explicitly limiting the lottery to the PEV, and the JLN has proposed a motion supporting the PEV but also indicating support for developing permanent pathways for temporary Pacific workers. Both proposals seem reasonable, meaning that the government should have the numbers to pass the PEV enabling legislation. If so, then it must just have been a matter of a crowded legislative agenda that prevented this legislation being passed in June, and the PEV legislation should be tabled and passed when the Senate next meets at the end of July.
We certainly hope so. Having raised the expectations of the Pacific, and of Australia’s Pacific diasporas, it would be not only tragic but deeply damaging for Australia’s reputation were it now to walk away from the PEV.
The best scenario would be passage with bipartisan support. The Opposition has indicated that they support the PEV in principle, but not the lottery. They have instead called for PEV eligibility to be restricted to temporary Pacific migrants in Australia through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Of course PALM workers should and would be eligible to apply for the PEV visa. Moreover, they would have an advantage over other applicants since they already have a job, one of the main requirements of PEV issuance. So we would expect PALM workers to be well represented among PEV recipients. However, formally linking the PALM and the PEV would be a diplomatic own goal. As long as Australia sticks with the well-accepted New Zealand approach to issuing permanent resident visas to the Pacific (that is, through a lottery), the PEV will be well received. But if Australia takes a different approach, it will immediately raise suspicions that it is introducing the PEV not to benefit the Pacific, but to benefit itself.
While hoping that the Opposition will have a change of heart and start supporting the PEV legislation might be overly optimistic, once the PEV is introduced, the evidence from the New Zealand equivalent visas is that it will become highly popular. In Samoa, there are 40 applicants for every available Samoa Quota visa, while in Kiribati there are 60 and in Fiji 75 for every Pacific Access Category visa. Given this, once introduced the PEV will quickly become an irreplaceable and vital tool in Australia’s Pacific engagement. Bipartisan support for the PEV, if not possible upfront, will surely emerge over time.
Wondering what is the latest update on this? This is interesting to every Pacific Islanders.
Today we have published an update on the Pacific Engagement Visa.
The Pacific Engagement Visa in July and August: 2-1
Wondering if there’s any update on this.
Hi Priya, There have been some interesting developments and we’ll post an update soon.
Wondering if there have been any updates on the July senate meeting?
Hi Theresa,
The bill was listed for consideration by the Australian Senate last week, but never made it to the floor. It is now listed for this week, but for Thursday, the very last day of the session. That’s not a good sign.
There is one positive thing to report. Senator David Pocock (Independent, ACT) has moved an amendmentwhich would mean that the lottery which would run the PEV cannot be used for humanitarian (refugee) visas. The Greens have made it clear that this is a requirement for them to support the bill. So Pocock’s amendment should make the PEV legislation acceptable to the Greens as well as Pocock. If the Jacqui Lambie Network also supported the Bill, then that would give the numbers to pass the Bill even without Coalition support.
Thanks so much Stephen – appreciate your time with the updates!
Come on big brother! Act like one.
Come on Aussie come on … give it a go … New Zealand has shown it can be done and benefits all … now is the time to show the true Vuvale Partnership you all been preaching …
Looking forward for P.E.V and hopefully it gets the approval from the Senate and we can apply.
Hope it happens
🤞Let’s hope and pray for the end of July. Because it has to come as a give and take for both Australia and its Pacific neighbor. It may have Pros and Cons which needs careful reconsideration. Looking forward 👌 Thank tumas for this article 🙏
Really looking forward to the passing of this bill in the Australian senate. With the youth bulge in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific it is a great opportunity to be permanent residents of Australia and contributing to our home countries in terms of remittances. Can’t wait to apply for the lottery.
This will benefit both sides not only for the Pacific Islanders but to the Australian economic as well.
I Joyce from PNG, I think this the great opportunity for me to work and live in Australia … I’m in Bowen Queensland working in Rugby Farm … Hired by Rugby Farm under permanent employment 2 years visa … I’m very interested to apply for PR through Pacific Engagement visa so please may I have the link or how can I can I apply??
Hi Joyce, as the blog says, the PEV has not yet been legislated – but you can go to the Australian Government website for further information on eligibility, etc: https://www.dfat.gov.au/pacific-engagement-visa
Thanks for the info Karen. I am currently on a 408 visa working under Disability sector. Praying I will get the opportunity to apply for PR in the PEV when it’s legislated
The proposed PEV Bill must be endorsed and passed by both side of the Australian Parliament if Australia’s commitment in supporting its Pacific neighbors is to be seen as more meaningful and in the spirit of mutual benefit. PEV would be the first ever visa category that would give greater opportunity and easy access for the Pacific Islanders, especially those who are less represented under PALM visa and with larger population to live and work in Australian . If the Visa application by Lottery works in New Zeeland, it would definitely work in Australia. Why not try it out and see if it works well or not? I therefore fully support and urge for the PEV Bill to be passed.
The concept is a step in the right direction, mutually beneficial to both Australia and the Pacific, and will greatly enhance Australia’s ongoing commitment to the Pacific. Hoping for the best to happen, soon. tenk yu
Hoping for the best …
Hope they say yes
Hopping this bill passes by Senate, waiting with high hopes
the Pacific Engagement visa need to be delivered
I love the Pacific engagement
Indeed very disappointing if this Pacific diaspora flow does not eventuate as we are all hoping for something to hold on to or hope for as we navigate the Australian migration process.
As a Pacific Labour Scheme worker, I for one would like to have an alternative … a plan A and a plan B … when it comes to my visa pathways towards a PR.
Hoping for the best to eventuate through these Senate proceedings … vinaka
👍
Now to know that PEV is yet to be passed at the Senate; may be it is not a good sign for us Pacific Island countries eligible for the PEV but we are hoping for the best!
Still yet to be passed.
Please think of families that are away from each other for more than a year.
Pacific islanders are hard working people, if given the opportunity to reunite and stay with their loved ones, while working, will also boost each individual.
These will be a great opportunity for some families that have kids.
A family that stays together prays together and works together 😀