>snip<The government is preparing to make amendments to its proposed character test crackdown to win over the support of independent senator Jacqui Lambie.
Facing opposition from Labor, Centre Alliance and the Greens, the Coalition needs to win over Lambie to change the Migration Act to make it easier to cancel the visas of non-citizens convicted of a serious crime punishable by two years’ imprisonment, even if a jail term is not imposed.
Experts have warned the bill could lead to a fivefold increase in the number of people facing deportation, with residents from New Zealand and humanitarian refugees disproportionately affected.
Guardian Australia understands that the minister is in discussion with Lambie about changes to the bill needed to win over her crucial vote, but a spokeswoman for the senator would not comment on what changes she was seeking.
“Jacqui has got some concerns about the character test, she has made those clear to the minister and she is pleased with how that conversation is going,” a spokeswoman said.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-n ... -crackdownThe government has already rejected conditions demanded by the opposition in order to secure its support, which included ensuring the bill was not applied retrospectively, exempting low-level offences, and giving special consideration to New Zealanders.
Why should New Zealanders and refugees get a free pass because they are disproportionately represented as criminals? Bizarre!