How the government's new migration crackdown could give domestic abusers more power

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced big changes to the migration system. One change cracks down on people who stay in Australia after their visa ends. An expert warns this could put people in danger. Many women on temporary visas are in abusive relationships. They often do not know their own visa rules. A national study found one in three migrant and refugee women had faced family violence.

Some women come to Australia on student or visitor visas. Their partners promise a permanent visa, then use that promise to control them. Sometimes the partner lies about the visa. The current system protects some women on partner visas. But many women do not hold a partner visa, so they miss out. The expert says the new crackdown gives abusers one more way to threaten women with deportation.

Rules meant to control visas can leave abuse victims with nowhere to turn. This shows why safety must be built into migration policy.