TPV Holder Inaccuracies
The Age - 8 July 2002.
Dear Sir/Madam,
On 3 July, your newspaper published an article by Russell Skelton entitled The Bread and Butter of Life in Limbo. The report contains a number of factual inaccuracies that require correction.
Persons holding a TPV have access to Centrelink Special Benefit Payment, Rent Assistance, Family Allowance, Maternity Allowance, Family Tax payment and the right to work.
Contrary to Mr Skelton's article, TPV holders have immediate access to Medicare in addition to the Early Health Assessment and Intervention Program and Torture and Trauma counselling.
Departmental settlement staff or settlement service providers, representatives from their cultural community group and interpreters meet TPV holders on their arrival and inform them of the entitlements and restrictions of their visa. They also receive written information in their own language.
Each TPV holder also receives a cash allowance of up to $222. The cash allowance is based on current government rates equal to that to which an Australian citizen or permanent resident in a comparable situation would receive.
The allowance is provided to ensure TPV holders have a means of support to see them through to their first Centrelink Special Benefit payment.
TPV holders are then escorted to a pre-arranged Centrelink appointment, are assisted with applying for a Centrelink Special Benefit payment and a tax file number. They are also assisted with accessing Medicare and opening a bank account.
Mr Skelton insists that the Commonwealth has transferred its financial responsibilities in relation to TPVs to the states and territories.
TPV holders are counted as part of the Commonwealth's Humanitarian Program for which 12 000 places are fully costed each year thus enabling funds to flow to the states for the provision of the services to which TPV holders are entitled. Hence there is no cost shifting by the Commonwealth Government.
Stewart Foster
Director, Public Affairs
Dept of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs