In the media

Statement on the Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill

Media Release, 27 March 2024

The Labor Government’s Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 is highly problematic both for its content and the way it has been moved through parliament, Kylea Tink MP, Independent Federal Member for North Sydney says.

The Bill was only provided to members of the crossbench at 8.45am on Tuesday, with the advice that the Government intended to push the highly controversial legislation through parliament in less than 24 hours.

The powers given to the Immigration Minister under this legislation are exceptional, and will apply to hundreds of vulnerable people including not only the NZYQ-affected cohort but also potentially all unlawful non-citizens, bridging visa-holders, and extraordinarily any other non-citizen cohort as designated by the Minister.

With little time for consultation, both those with a commitment to human rights within parliament, and organisations outside the government, have been left reeling at the potential breaches of Australia’s international human rights obligations.

Comments on the content of the Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 by Kylea Tink MP, Independent Federal Member for North Sydney:

“Australia’s visa system is broken, and this legislation kicks it while it's down. Labor’s Forced Deportation Bill is a highly problematic piece of legislation that is not compatible with fundamental human rights, and will tear communities apart in our country.

“Despite claims from the government that the legislation won’t affect refugees, it criminalises people who’ve already been through a broken system that in many cases has failed to recognise their legitimate refugee claims, including those failed by the Fast Track system.

“It also turns a blind eye to the welfare of children. Under this reformed legislation, parents and guardians could be forced, through the threat of criminal sanction, to either facilitate the removal of their children from Australia or to leave them behind until they turn 18. This risks separating children and their families, in direct violation of the fundamental human rights principle of the best interests of the child.

Comments on the introduction of the Migration Amendment (Removal and Other Measures) Bill 2024 by Kylea Tink MP, Independent Federal Member for North Sydney:

“I am beyond disappointed at the Government’s blatant attempt to move this significant legislative change through Parliament without due scrutiny and debate. This is yet another example of poor procedure — to say the least — and challenges the very fabric of our democracy.

“The very basis of our democracy is that communities send representatives to parliament to act on their behalf in scrutinising any law that any government of the day may wish to bring into being. By stifling scrutiny of this Bill, the Government has effectively chosen to ignore the views of much of the Australian population while at the worst has taken our country to a new low in terms of our international human rights reputation.  

“Australians expect better, and I will continue to fight for a more open, accountable and truly democratic parliament.”

See more
of my week

What I’ve been up to on Instagram

Instagram

What I’ve been up to on Twitter

Twitter

Other relevant posts

Statement on proposed social media age restrictions

Media release, 7 November 2024

The Prime Minister’s announcement that he wants to implement a ban on Australians under the age of 16 accessing social media is yet another example of the government chasing populist headlines over policy substance.

Read more

Labor ‘considering a whole range of possible reforms’ on childcare, Chalmers says

The Guardian, 6 November 2024

Kylea has questioned the Government about abolishing the activity test for childcare. In response, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said that the Government is "considering a whole range of possible reforms as part of our commitment to try to get the system as close as we can to something which is a bit more universal."

Read the article here.

Fess up! Independents push parties on climate targets

The Canberra Times, 5 November 2024

Kylea is one of the independent MPs leading the charge on climate in Canberra on Tuesday, calling on major parties to release 2035 emissions reduction targets before the next federal election.

Read the article here.

‘Australians deserve to know’: Independents call on major parties to release 2035 emissions reduction targets

Women's Agenda, 5 November 2024

Crossbenchers have called for both major parties to unveil their 2035 emissions targets before next year's federal election, with Kylea pointing to this week's US election as evidence of just how vulnerable climate change policies can be to political ideology.

Read the article here.

Independent MPs call for major parties to release 2035 emissions reduction targets before the next election

Media release, 5 November 2024

Kylea and her crossbench colleagues have united to call on the major parties to commit to releasing their 2035 emissions reduction targets before the next federal election, arguing Australians deserve clarity and transparency on climate commitments.

Read the joint statement here.

Independents pressure Greens to break housing stalemate after Queensland election losses

ABC News, 4 November 2024

Kylea, ACT Senator David Pocock and several other independents are pressuring the Greens to support the Government's Build to Rent Bill that would create thousands of new rental homes. The bill is currently before the Senate.

Read the article here.

Every Friday

Kylea's newsletter hits the inboxes of people right across our electorate of North Sydney. Stay up to date with Kylea's plans and progress as she tells us about her week speaking with people in our community. We'll also highlight the latest community events and initiatives to get involved with.

For
Progress

Join TeamTINK and
support the dedicated
volunteers comitted to
making a difference for
our community.

Support

For
Impact

Learn about Kylea’s
policies and how she’s
helping make real change
for the North Sydney
electorate.

Learn

For
Community

Sign up to receive
Kylea’s weekly
newsletter to follow
how she’s ensuring your
voice is heard in Canberra.

Subscribe