Submissions are now closed
A big thank you to those who lodged a submission in relation to Australian Citizenship Legislation (Strengthening Requirements) and Other Measures Bill.
If you haven’t already done so, you have until midnight today, 21 July 2017, to lodge a submission to the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill.
The proposed changes include:
- a 4-year waiting period on permanent residency before applying for citizenship (except for Kiwis who get permanent residency under the new 189 visas) – up from 1 year;
- requiring under 18-year-olds to provide criminal history checks;
- rights of Minister to set aside Administrative Appeal decisions; and
- limiting merits review of Minister/Departments decisions.
These changes may have a large impact on your family – the 4-year waiting period on permanent residency will especially impact young people who rely on citizenship to access HECS for university, or who wish to join the Australian Defence Force upon completing High School.
If this is your situation, or that of family member or friend, please lodge a submission online. It doesn’t have to be long.
For information on lodging a submission and a sample letter, see Guidance on Citizenship Bill Submissions.
