Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 14 August 2012:

With reference to the 'China in 2012, On the Eve of Great Changes' forum held in Sydney from 28 June to 30 June 2012, and the refusal to grant visas to four prominent expatriate Chinese scholars (Ren, Wan Ding from Paris, France; Wang, Jun Tao from New York, United States of America; Yang, Jian Li from Boston, United States of America; and Li, Song from Tokyo, Japan) in time to attend:

(1) For each individual, why was a visa not granted by the Australian Government?

(2) Are any of the individuals unable to enter Australia; if so, why?

(3) Are any of the individuals currently listed on any record of the Australian Government; if so, which record?

Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's questions:

(1) Privacy considerations prevent the Department from providing you with any details about an individual's visa application without their prior consent. However, I can say that all visa applications are considered on their individual merits against the relevant criteria for the granting of a visa. The legal criteria for the grant of a visa to visit Australia for tourism or business require, among other things, that applicants meet Australia's health and character standards, have adequate funds for support for the period of the visit and intend a genuine visit to Australia.

(2) Privacy considerations prevent the Department from providing you with any details about an individual's visa application without their prior consent.

Australia has a universal visa requirement under which non citizens must apply for and be granted a visa to enter Australia.

(3) Privacy considerations prevent the Department from providing you with any details about an individual without their prior consent.