House debates
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Test Review and Other Measures) Bill 2009
Second Reading
12:35 pm
Laurie Ferguson (Reid, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services) Share this | Hansard source
On the one hand there is widespread disquiet in the caucus and, on the other hand, when it is commented that there is no debate whatsoever, it is allegedly because people are too scared. As I say, we are getting a lot of coverage of the opposition meetings of late—for example, in the last day or so, the deep frustration of the National Party that they are not being listened to enough.
The proposed special residence requirements provide clearly defined criteria for eligibility in law. Unlike the discretion under the old act, they leave no room for ambiguity as to who will be eligible for consideration under these provisions. I commend the bill to the House.
Question put:
That the words proposed to be omitted (Dr Stone’s amendment) stand part of the question.
Harjeet Singh
Posted on 22 Dec 2009 10:51 pm
Dear Respected Senators,
I have a query where I find new citizenship amendments bit unfair to some people. I have been law abiding Resident since moved to Australia in 2003 and acquired skilled Permanent Residence in March 2007.
Technically speaking
If someone got Permanent residence few months before july 2007 like I got in March 2007, He gets PR visa label of 5 years and as per the citizenship rules referenced to him on the PR letter, He was obliged to follow those citizenship pathways at that time.
Later He gets to know that yes he still have the same pathways applicable but just for 3 years instead of 5 years from now onwards. It was a contradiction to what was said before and written before to him. (As they have to apply for citizenship before july 2010 to be eligible under previous rules)
What if you are forced to pay your mortgage in 10 years instead of 20???
when you had well worked plan for 20 years.
Does that make any sense???
I would face significant hardship if I'm ineligible to apply for citizenship.
My profession demands travelling and I was on a trainee exchange programme to acquire new skills in Biotech industry which is classified as one of the presitigious direction of work all around the world. I would face significant issues like won't be eligible to apply for government jobs and Travelling restrictions.
I cant imagine me waiting for another 4 years considering I lived in Australia for around seven years and was overseas for only 1.5 years mostly for acquiring/importing new skills from Europe. I'm very Well assimilated with Australian culture and has been mostly in europe on Trainee programs in the Industry.
Now I would have to start from scratch when I would be arriving back in Jan 2010, As I lived overseas more than a year.
Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Harjeet Singh
Mechanical Design Engineer
Sophion Bioscience A/S
Baltorpvej 154
2750 Ballerup
Denmark