Labor's election promise was to abolish TPVs and SHEVs. The recent announcement purports to be the implementation of that promise.

However, no one’s status has actually been changed, no one has any certainty that their status will change, people who were waiting are waiting still:

·       TPVs have not been abolished;

·       the people who were on TPVs before the announcement are still on TPVs;

·       they have no more rights after the announcement than before (at least, as a result of the announcement);

·       they are now applicants for a newly invented RoS visa: their applications have to succeed before their status will change;

·       it is uncertain when processing will begin or how long it will take (“it is expected” within 12 months from when processing begins);

·       no applicant has any assurance that their application will be successful;

·       it is possible for one member of a family to be accepted and not another;

·       it is unclear what criteria will be used -- health will be one, and many of these people are ill;

·       TPVs will continue to exist after people currently on them have all been processed.

On the webpage some of the language is misleadingly optimistic.

For example, “Providing permanent residence to TPV and SHEV holders empowers them to move forward with their lives and increases their ability to contribute to Australian society. Permanent residency will enable TPV/SHEV holders to gain…” should actually read: “Providing permanent residence to TPV and SHEV holders whose application for the RoS visa is successful will empower empowers them to move forward with their lives and will increase increases their ability to contribute to Australian society. Permanent residency will enable TPV/SHEV holders successful applicants to gain…”

Everything under the heading “With this visa you can” applies to successful applicants.

This announcement makes no difference to the legal status of the people it purports to help.

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