Migrant communities have campaigned for years for long-term visas to allow families to reunite with their grandparents but many migrants say they feel excluded by the unrealistic conditions of the new visa class.
The government says the visa was designed in consultation with the community and the income threshold is to ensure sponsors have sufficient resources to support their parents.Immigration Minister David Coleman told SBS News: "The new visa will help thousands of Australian families, and it’s been successfully introduced by the Government despite ongoing opposition from the Labor Party."
The Labor party has been critical of the Coalition's policy and is expected to announce its own policy during this election campaign.
