Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other

Measures) Bill 2017

Submission 35

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the sudden and unexpected changes to residency
requirements for the Australian citizenship (lengthening PR requirements by further 3 years).

I came to Australia in September 2011 at University of Melbourne to pursue PhD on fully funded
scholarship. I graduated in December 2014 and right after that I was being offered Associate Lecturer
position in the same school where I graduated. After joining UMelb as a University tutor, I initiated
my permanent residency (PR) process along with my family (wife and two kids). I was granted PR as a
skilled nominated immigrant in February 2017 after a lengthy and scrutinize process (English
competency, security clearance etc.).

After getting PR status in Australia, I finally started to feel settled down in a country that I always
wanted to make home. Feeling settled in Australia and knowing that I am getting very close to finally
becoming an Australian citizen in less than a year time, I was shocked to hear that government is now
changing the rules for new citizens.

If I had known that the government would quadruple the stay requirements for those who came to
Australia on valid visas a long time ago (for my case, six years) and have being paying huge taxes
(more than 33% of my salary), integrating in Australian society (I am a member of several community
clubs, including Australian Red cross, and local area community clubs), I would not have spent so
much energy and resources to make Australia my second home. When, I came here, I always admire
that Australia is a multicultural country, and always welcome highly skilled professional individuals
who can really contribute for Australian society. That’s why I refused several job offers which I
received right after my PhD from Singapore, japan and Korea.

My story is just one of countless examples of how sudden and unexpected changes in citizenship laws
could impact our future and put our lives on hold, especially when there is no transitioning period
given.

Our (myself and thousands of other affected families) suggestion is:

Exempting current visa holders from the new changes and grandfather them into the current
requirements, as they have already made big decisions and planned their future accordingly. That
would be similar to what happened between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2010, when there has been
transitional arrangements in place. (source: https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Citi/Lear/Law-and-
policy/res-req-changes#)

I also would like to draw your attention to two online petitions (one official Parliament and one on
change.org) that I, and 36,000+ other families who share touching stories, have signed with regard to
this matter.
Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for Australian Citizenship and Other
Measures) Bill 2017
Submission 35

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Petitions/House_of_Representatives_Petitions/Petition
s_General/Petitions_List?id=EN0237

https://www.change.org/p/department-of-immigration-and-border-protection-australia-vote-against-4-
years-after-pr-eligibility-towards-oz-citizenship

This petition will be delivered to: DIBP Citizenship Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Australia

Finally, I would like to request you to please seriously consider our concerns (who are genuine
immigrants with so much potential to deliver to Australia in future). Your efforts in raising our
concerns in the Parliament, Senate and/or any other platform will be a great help and support for us.

Thank you for your time and understanding and I hope you take our suggestion into consideration.

King Regards,