Hon Philip Ruddock
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Australia
11 June 2002
The first refugees to be granted temporary protection visas (TPV) have now reached the stage where they can be
considered for the grant of another protection visa, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous
Affairs, Philip Ruddock, said today.
"When the three-year TPVs were first issued in November 1999, the Government made it clear that TPV holders could apply
for another protection visa at any time, but could not be granted a permanent protection visa until they had held their
TPV for 30 months," Mr Ruddock said.
TPV holders had used people smugglers to bring them to Australia illegally, and the Australian Government had introduced
the temporary visa to discourage the practice.
"The first visas granted in 1999 will expire in November 2002. Those TPV holders who have not already done so need to
make a decision in the next months - to apply for another protection visa, or to leave Australia at the end of their
visas."
"Applications will be assessed by experienced officers of my Department, against the criteria set down in the Refugees
Convention. They will be looking closely at the current situation in the home country."
"It may be that there is no longer any need for some TPV holders to be in fear of persecution if they return home," the
Minister said.
Those who were found to be still in need of protection would be granted another Protection Visa. Whether it is a
permanent visa, allowing to them settle in Australia and make plans for their long-term future or another temporary visa
giving three years residence, will depend on a number of factors, including the actions undertaken by the TPV holder
while travelling to Australia and whether there are character concerns.
Those who are rejected will have the right to seek review of the decision through the Refugee Review Tribunal or the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal, but must leave Australia if that fails, or if they chose not to seek review.
"As TPV holders reach the 30-month date from the grant of their visas, my Department will write to them to remind they
will need to make another application, or make arrangements to leave Australia," Mr Ruddock said