Outcome 2.3 - Australian citizenship
Highlights
On 9 November 2005 the Australian Citizenship Bill 2005 and the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Bill 2005 were introduced to the Australian Parliament. The Bills will replace the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 and provide for better structured, easier to understand citizenship law that reflects Australia in the twenty-first century.
A number of important changes include:
- prohibiting the approval of an application for Australian citizenship by grant, descent, and resumption if the applicant is assessed as being a risk to Australia's national security or the applicant's identity cannot be verified
- extending the residence in Australia requirement by 12 months to three years
- extending the revocation provisions to include serious criminal offences committed in the period between approval of an application and acquisition of citizenship as well as where the approval to become an Australian citizen resulted from third-party fraud.
Following research in 2005-06 that highlighted the need to update the advertisements used to promote Australian Citizenship, we expect new advertisements to be launched in 2006-07.
On 16 September 2005, the Australian Citizenship Quilt was unveiled before an audience of 250 people to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day on 17 September. The quilt was the outcome of a project involving a partnership between us and the Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Over 400 Australian citizens, young and old, contributed quilt squares and personal stories.
The quilt, along with one comprising squares contributed by young Australians, was exhibited at Parliament House Canberra until late November 2005. Since then the quilts have been exhibited at craft and quilt fairs in Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Hobart, Perth, and Sydney. Following further exhibitions in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide, the quilts will be accepted into the national historical collection at the National Museum of Australia. The quilts have been featured in a number of magazines and newspapers, including quilting and craft specialist magazines.
A record number of 14 000 new citizens were conferred on Australia Day and the ceremonies received widespread media coverage. For the second consecutive year the Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard MP, presided at a ceremony in the national capital.
Other citizenship ceremonies that achieved media coverage included:
- televised citizenship ceremonies on Channel 7's Sunrise in December 2005 and Channel 9's Today Show on 26 January 2006
- a ceremony in Melbourne on Australia Day, presided over by the Governor-General, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC
- a ceremony during Adelaide Writers' Week in March 2006 where the Minister conferred Australian citizenship on Nobel Laureate and twice Booker prize winning author, John M Coetzee
- a ceremony on Mothers' Day May 2006, where Parliamentary Secretary, the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP, conferred Australian citizenship on Mavis Smith, who was celebrating her 100th birthday the same day
- a citizenship ceremony for people who entered Australia under the Humanitarian Programme held to celebrate World Refugee Day on 20 June 2006.
A total of 121 829 people became Australian citizens by grant, descent, and resumption in 2005-06. This includes 108 380 who became citizens by grant, which represents a 10.58 per cent increase compared to 2004-05. The use of our Internet facility for lodging citizenship applications continued to increase with 33 958 people choosing the convenience of applying on-line.
Enriching the fabric of Australia |
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Australian citizens shared their creativity and personal stories of what being Australian means to them as part of our Australian Citizenship Quilt project. More than 400 quilt squares and stories were contributed to the project by experienced and beginner quilters, adults and school students, and scouts and guides. With such a large number of contributions, two quilts were assembled - the Australian Citizenship Quilt and the Young Australian Citizenship Quilt. Each quilt measures three metres wide and two metres high. Elsa Urqhad of Dural, who migrated from the Netherlands in 1959, was one of the many people who contributed to the quilt. 'Being a new Australian citizen is definitely more than just a certificate,' Ms Urqhad said. 'It is a whole new way of life, a wonderful way of life.' It wasn't just those citizens who had migrated to Australia who made contributions to the quilt. Felicity Gibbs-Carson of Ulladulla, a sixth generation Australian of English and Irish descent, said it was not people's origins but the Australian way of life that made people proud to be citizens. 'Our loyalty, our generosity, our sense of humour, our fierce determination, our larrikinism, our sporting achievements, our fair play, and always watching out for the under dog - that's what is so special about being an Aussie,' Ms Gibbs-Carson said. Carol McGill said her family, who migrated from South Africa in 1986, became citizens as soon as they could. 'It's an honour we will never take for granted but will always cherish and respect,' Ms McGill said. 'We hope that through our contribution to everyday Australia a little of the faith shown in accepting us as immigrants will be repaid.' Nannette Channing, an indigenous woman from the Monaro/Gunai people said different cultures enriched Australia. 'With a diverse group of languages, styles, traditions, colours, and foods - that's what makes Australia the place it is today,' Ms Channing said. 'I wouldn't want to live anywhere else because Australia has it all and I love my country.' The quilts were unveiled at Parliament House Canberra by the former Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. John Cobb MP to celebrate Australian Citizenship Day. The quilts are touring the country as a feature of the Australian Craft and Quilt Fairs. At the completion of the tour the quilts will become part of the National Museum of Australia's collection.
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2.3.1 Decisions on citizenship status
Objective
The objective is to provide high quality efficient administration of the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 and its regulations.
Table 64: Performance information - Decisions on citizenship status
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| 100 000 citizenship status decisions (persons) made - including 80 000 applications (persons) for grant finalised | 139 132 decisions (persons) on citizenship status made, including 112 429 applications (persons) for grant finalised. |
| Quality | |
| Less than 1 per cent of negative decisions overturned at review | 0.2 per cent of negative decisions overturned at Migration Review Tribunal (MRT). |
Description
This output component involves managing and delivering decisions under the Australian Citizenship legislation through:
- decisions on applications for grant of citizenship
- other decisions under the legislation, including citizenship by descent, resumption of citizenship, and renunciation of citizenship
- management of conferral of citizenship
- provision of citizenship information services.
Analysis of performance
In 2005-06 we finalised a total of 112 429 decisions for grant of citizenship which was the highest number since 1996-97 and a 10.2 per cent increase from 2004-05. The number of positive citizenship decisions increased by 10.6 per cent from 2004-05, continuing the upward trend in the number of decisions made since 2000-01.
The overall approval rate for grant, resumption, and descent applications remained steady at 96.8 per cent in 2005-06. Some 86.2 per cent of applications were decided within 90 days of lodgment and 41.3 per cent decided on the day of lodgment.
We continue to promote use of our Internet facility to lodge citizenship applications and a growing number of people are choosing the convenience of applying on-line. In 2005-06 some 33 958 people lodged their applications electronically which represented 29 per cent of all applications received in 2005-06 a 49.2 per cent increase from 2004-05.
Profile | |
Australia's oldest new citizenA Victorian centenarian proved it's never too late to become an Australian citizen. Mrs Ila (Mavis) Smith, of Mt Eliza in Victoria, enjoyed a special Australian citizenship ceremony as part of her 100th birthday celebrations, held on Mothers' Day and witnessed by more than 100 family members and friends. | 
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| Mrs Ila (Mavis) Smith, Bruce Smith, and the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP. | |
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Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP, presided at the ceremony where Mrs Smith and her 67-year-old son Bruce became citizens. Mrs Smith and her late husband migrated from New Zealand in 1961, following her son who settled here in 1960. Mrs Smith has four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 'I feel very proud today,' Mrs Smith said. 'I have enjoyed my years in Australia very much,' Mr Smith echoed his mother's sentiments. 'I'm very proud to officially become the Australian I always felt I was,' Mr Smith said. 'I've lived here since 1960 and I always thought I was Australian, up until October last year, when someone pointed out I wasn't an Australian citizen, so I thought I'd better do something about it. 'The opportunities in Australia are great - I've never been without a job. 'One door closes and six or eight others open.'
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Table 65 - Outcomes for citizenship applications 2003-04 to 2005-06
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | |
| People granted Australian citizenship | 91 233 | 98 008 | 108 380 |
| People issued with Certificates of Evidence of Australian citizenship | 11 515 | 12 719 | 12 690 |
| People registered as Australian citizens by descent | 14 005 | 13 264 | 13 142 |
| People registered as losing Australian citizenship* | 496 | 463 | 535 |
| People resuming Australian citizenship | 410 | 441 | 307 |
* Loss statistics include renunciation of Australian citizenship. Source: Integrated Client Services Environment (ICSE) data extraction
Table 65 shows the outcomes for citizenship applications for the past three years.
The 103 350 people conferred with citizenship at ceremonies in 2005-06 was an 11 per cent increase from 2004-05. Appendix 2 contains statistical information on the former nationality or citizenship and the previous country of residence of persons who became Australian citizens by grant in 2005-06.
The Citizenship Information Line received 520 127 calls in 2005-06 an average of 43 344 calls a month. This compares to 457 489 calls in 2004-05, or an average of 38 124 calls per month. This information line provides information in response to citizenship inquiries from around Australia and distributes information and application kits.
The Citizenship Quality Assurance Programme continued. Work undertaken in conjunction with other areas of the department to counter the risk of identity fraud and to support prosecutions for citizenship-related fraud has reinforced the integrity of the citizenship programme.
In 2005-06 the Citizenship Helpdesk received 3035 enquiries from state and territory offices and overseas posts concerning matters of citizenship law and policy, as well as 3339 enquiries from other Australian Government agencies seeking verification of citizenship status. The helpdesk dealt with a further 5891 enquiries from the general public. Most of the enquiries were responded to within two business days.
Profile | |
Citizenship 'no decision at all' for Australian of the YearWe are a proud partner of the Australian of the Year Awards, coordinated by the National Australia Day Council. | 
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| 2006 Australian of the Year - Professor Ian Frazer. | |
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Australian of the Year for 2006 and Scottish-born scientist, Professor Ian Frazer, said becoming an Australian citizen was 'no decision at all'. 'We'd been in Australia a couple of years and decided we wanted to stay here,' Professor Frazer said. 'As time went by it was obvious that we were going to, so becoming a citizen was the natural thing to do.' Professor Frazer, an immunologist, worked in Melbourne and Brisbane to develop a vaccine to prevent and treat cervical cancer, a disease contracted by 500 000 women each year, with half dying from the disease. In worldwide trials the vaccine has prevented viral infection and reduced pap smear abnormalities by 70 per cent. Winning the Australian of the Year Award as an overseas-born Australian is not uncommon. 'A third of all Australians of the Year are first generation Australians, and that actually reflects the demographics of the country pretty well,' Professor Frazer said. 'A third of all of us are first generation Australians too.' We are a partner in the Australian of the Year Awards, which are coordinated by the National Australia Day Council and presented on Australia Day. Professor Frazer said the award came as a'considerable surprise' to him. 'I've always felt that what I do in life should be good for the community,' Professor Frazer said. 'I think that's the measure of being an Australian citizen.' 'It's not so much where you're born, it's what you're actually doing beyond what people expect of you.' Professor Frazer first came to Australia as a student in 1974 through the Australian Working Visit Scheme. Australia's reputation for scientific research in immunology led to his return. He settled here permanently with his family in 1981, becoming a citizen in 1998.
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2.3.2 Promoting the value of Australian citizenship
Objective
The objective is to promote the acquisition of Australian citizenship among eligible non-citizens and to enhance the profile and significance of Australian citizenship in the wider community.
Table 66: Performance information - Promoting the value of Australian citizenship
| Measures | Results |
| Quantity | |
| Development and implementation of a campaign promoting the value of Australian citizenship with Australia Day, Harmony Day, and Australian Citizenship Day as focus points | The campaign was successfully implemented. This included print, television and radio advertising, public relations activities, a primary schools resource, and promotional events. Promotional events included special Australian citizenship ceremonies in association with Australian Citizenship Day on 17 September 2005, Australia Day on 26 January 2006, Harmony Day on 21 March 2006, and World Refugee Day on 20 June 2006. |
| Quality | |
| Satisfaction of Minister and other key stakeholders with the development and implementation of the citizenship promotion campaign | Satisfaction with the 2005-06 Australian Citizenship promotion campaign by:
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Description
This output covers promotion of the value of Australian citizenship.
Analysis of performance
The promotion of Australian citizenship resulted in the following outcomes:
- During the campaign period of 1 August - 30 September 2005 there were 257 items reported in press, radio, and television. This was a decrease of 44 per cent on the previous year's coverage, which was attributed to the media focusing on other department media issues rather than those of direct relevance to Australian citizenship. All coverage achieved for the campaign period was positive (78 per cent) or balanced (22 per cent) in tone.
- Ceremonies held in 2005-06 included a ceremony for 1000 new citizens at Sydney Olympic Park on Australia Day 2006 and two citizenship ceremonies on Channel 7's Sunrise and Channel 9's Today Show.
We continued a partnership with the National Australia Day Council to promote the value of Australian citizenship through:
- sponsorship of the Local Hero Award, as part of the Australian of the Year Awards, which included eight state and territory events and culminated in the national award announcements televised live on Channel 10 on the eve of Australia Day
- AM radio, magazine, and metropolitan newspaper advertising of the Australian Citizenship Affirmation
- 80 000 free Avant Card postcards featuring the affirmation targeted at the youth and young adult market, distributed nationally at 1000 venues, including cafes and restaurants, cinemas, galleries, museums, theatres, clubs, and retail outlets
- affirmation resource packs supplied to more than 800 local Australia Day committees containing affirmation cards and directions for incorporating the affirmation into Australia Day celebrations
- 4 250 000 pocket calendars featuring the affirmation distributed nationally through 800 Woolworths stores, members of parliament, the state and territory Australia Day network, and Australia Day Local Council committees.
Profile | |
Australia's Local Hero for 2006,Toni Hoffman is a Bundaberg nurse who was not afraid to stand up to ensure patient safety. | 
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| 2006 Australian of the Year - Local Hero Ms Toni Hoffman. | |
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For two years she stood by her ethics and values while advocating for the proper attention and care for her patients at the Bundaberg Hospital. 'Being an Australian citizen means that you are part of a unique society that is made up of people from many different countries and walks of life, but who are proud of the Aussie spirit and 'fair go' ethos,' Ms Hoffman said. 'It means being passionate about our fellow man and treating all people with respect.' The Local Hero Award, which we sponsor, recognises the contribution of ordinary citizens who do exceptional things in their local community. An experienced nurse who completed her Masters Degree in Bio-ethics in 2002 while working in Bundaberg Hospital's Intensive Care Unit, Ms Hoffman encouraged others to speak up. 'Our greatest challenge in the coming years is to embrace this multiculturalism and also maintain our Australian identity,' Ms Hoffman said. 'Our freedom is important to us and our ability to hold our heads high in all that we do. 'We have to encourage the next generation to participate in their community and be responsible, whilst encouraging people to speak up and defend those who cannot do that for themselves.'
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