Migration Amendment (Tabling Notice of Certain Character Decisions) 2021

# Migration Amendment (Tabling Notice of Certain Character Decisions) Bill 2021 ## What it does The government must now publicly tell Parliament when it cancels someone's visa or refuses entry based on character concerns. The Minister has to table a notice in both houses of Parliament within 15 sitting days of making the decision. ## Why it matters This adds a layer of transparency and oversight to visa cancellations. Instead of these decisions happening quietly behind closed doors, Parliament gets formal notification — giving elected representatives a chance to know about and potentially scrutinise character-based immigration decisions. ## Key details - **Exceptions**: The government doesn't have to table a notice if the person failed the character test because of specific serious reasons (like involvement in violence, criminal conduct, or drug trafficking) or if they were flagged by ASIO as a security risk. - **When it starts**: The law applied to decisions made after it received Royal Assent (the day after it passed Parliament). - **Who's affected**: Anyone whose visa is cancelled or entry refused on character grounds — but only when the government isn't citing those carve-out reasons above.

🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament