New consideration for visas

Letter to the Editor - Sydney Morning Herald
27 July 2009

Your report (Black sheep back to long white cloud, 22/07/09) overlooked recently introduced provisions on the character cancellation of long-term permanent residents under section 501 of the Migration Act.

While many factors are thoroughly considered in the decision to cancel an individual’s visa, a new ministerial direction – which has been in place since June 15 – places much greater emphasis on the amount of time an individual has spent in Australia so that a person's time growing up here be considered when the department evaluates a character cancellation and removal.

All cases undergoing consideration for possible visa refusal or cancellation on character grounds will now be finalised using this new ministerial direction.

The government takes very seriously its role in protecting the Australian community from harm caused by non-citizens who want to come to Australia, or who might already be here.

There are strong provisions in the Migration Act that allow for the refusal of a visa application, or to cancel a visa, where a person is found not to be of good character.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship makes every endeavour to prevent people with criminal records from entering Australia in the first place and is equally as rigorous in removing non-citizens who commit serious crimes while in Australia.

Sandi Logan
National Communications Manager,
Department of Immigration and Citizenship

27 July 2009