Administrative Review Tribunal (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2024

Senator CHISHOLM (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Assistant Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Deputy Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (12:28): I obviously disagree with your assessment. What I've talked through this morning as we've been dealing with this legislation is a significant number of increases that we've seen in regard to student visa refusal appeals, which were up at 22,158 last year, a 20,000 increase from where it was in 2022 and almost a 20,000 increase from where it was in 2023.

We also identified that, under the previous government, the AAT prioritised the easy cases and left those hard cases that the new tribunal is now having to deal with. You have a sorry record. I also respect that you acknowledge you did stack the AAT with political appointees as well; at least that is a bit of honesty on your part.

But this is an important reform, and it is one that we think will serve the long-term interests of the country.