Immigration to Australia, must be in our best interest. The amount of immigration will be determined upon our needs and conditions. Where there are no needs or the conditions of the country are such, that immigration is not necessary, then we may put a temporary or permanent halt to new immigration. As of today, it is probably wiser to place a temporary halt to any new Visa’s pending the improvement of our economic status and our infrastructure issues, and to reduce the burden placed upon housing, health and education, which are currently all stretched to their limits. Future immigration has to be carefully planned and organised, so that it is a benefit to the country and migrant alike. Also, the type of migrant required has to be assessed properly so that we get the right migrant.
Australian citizenship should be something, that is earned and not taken as a given. Anyone wishing to become a citizen will have to demonstrate their worthiness and show a determined commitment to the country. All potential citizens will have to sit a citizenship test and be expected to pass with at least 80%, in order to be eligible to apply for citizenship.
We will adopt a zero-tolerance for illegal migration. Any illegal migrant, upon arriving in Australian territory will be immediately deported back to their country of origin or the to the last country that they travelled from. We support the use of our world-leading offshore processing and illegal boat arrival turn-back policies, pending the deportations.
Australia, at its sole discretion will determine how we deal with or assist refugees. Each case will be judged on its merits, but only under exception circumstances would we allow refugees into Australia.
Our preferred method is, that we assist refugees in their own Country, by setting up a safe-zone where assistance can be provided.
A single man of military fighting age, will not be construed as a refugee and will be deported back to their country of origin or to the last country that they travelled from. Only children and families will be considered for refugee status. All refugees will have to fully co-operate with our investigation and assessment process. Failure to comply, will result in immediate deportation.
Refugees that are approved will be expected to work for the benefits that we provide. Australia will reserve the right to relocate any refugee to another country that is more suited for their language, cultural or religious needs.
Refugee visas will be issued on a temporary basis. Where the issue or emergency, that gave rise to the person seeking refuge, has ended, such as a war, then the refugees will be expected to return to their country of origin.
Migrants must be committed to making a positive contribution to Australia. Welfare payments will be limited in scope and duration to better encourage migrants to participate in our workforce, become a regular taxpayer and be self-sufficient. Those settled in Australia should contribute to our economy, not be welfare-dependent. Migrant businesses should be committed to employing Australians and not cheap overseas labour from their former country. This cheap labour creates an unfair advantage and undermines the Australian workforce and reduces the contributions from taxation and superannuation.
Permanent residents will be subject to ongoing character tests, and permanent residency will be withdrawn in the event of criminal conduct, either within Australia or overseas. This includes going to unsanctioned conflicts as a ‘foreign fighter’ or actively co-operating with Australia’s enemies.
Foreign-born dual nationals travelling to proscribed conflict zones without prior approval will have their Australian passports revoked. Residency withdrawal will be extended to include family members who entered Australia under the same visa application as the individual concerned. Promoting or supporting anti Australian, attitudes, values, culture, laws or promoting or supporting foreign interests that go against or contradict Australian attitudes, values, culture or laws will not be tolerated and the perpetrators will have their visa or citizenship revoked and be deported.
Everyone in Australia has the right to freedom of speech, expression and opinion, they also have the right the legally protest in a peaceful and respectful manner. However, these rights are not to be abused and cannot be used as a protection or excuse for anti-Australian behaviour. We do not want to import issues that are of no concern to Australia. Foreign nationals that have a legal right to reside in Australia, must remember that they came to Australia for a new life and to leave their old issues behind. So, they should think very carefully before showing support for something that has nothing to do with Australia or our interests.
Refugees that repay our kindness by committing crimes, will be deported along with their entire family; and where a significant percentage of a particular ethnic group are committing crimes, then the entire ethnic group of refugees will be deported back to their country of origin.
We will have a zero tolerance of foreign criminals in Australia. Criminals and suspected criminals will be deported immediately and without any recourse to our legal system.
It will be expected that all migrants will integrate into Australian society, without exception. Migrants that refuse or are unable to integrate or are simply incompatible with our society or culture will be expected to return to their country of origin. Examples of incompatibility are the failure to learn the English language, both spoken and written, failure to acknowledge our history and culture, by making disparaging remarks and working actively against the interests of Australia and its people.
Immigration is a hot topic. The excessive numbers of migrants over recent years have increased our population and added to our woes of insufficient homes, amongst many issues. But it is not the fault of migrants that there are insufficient houses, that is the fault of the government for not commissioning enough and inviting more and more people into the country.
The question is “what should be the correct number of migrants” There is no correct answer as it all depends on the timing and the circumstances of the country. Today, it would be wise to call a halt to any new migration for at least a year. This will enable those who are here to settle and to allow the housing stock to increase, along with other essential services. Migration numbers should be determined by what Australia needs, so as the economy grows, the number of migrants can increase. As a general guide a figure of 52,000 migrants per year should be the target figure.
General Migration – 52,000 per year standard permanent migration, people who want to come and live in Australia as a new life. This can include no one of particular note, skills or preference, but can include extended family reunification members, but not spouse or immediate dependent children. If no one from any of the categories below come to Australia, then the maximum migrant for that year will be just 52,000. Anyone from the any of the categories below are on top of the 52,000.
Spouse and or Dependent Children – As required based upon the number of citizens or permanent residents applying for their spouse and children to come to Australia.
Skilled Migration – People with specialised skills or qualifications required to fill a vacancy which cannot be filled by an Australia. No set number, it will depend upon the number of applications made by Australian employers. But if the annual number exceeds 150,000 then there is clearly a bigger issue at play and a review would be required to determine why we cannot fill these skill shortages locally.
Student Temporary Migration – Overseas students wishing to be educated in Australia, at their own expense, will be permitted based upon the number of available university places. Priority should be given to Australian students seeking to undertake further or higher education. Once all the Australian places have been allocated, the balance of available places will be offered to overseas students on a first come first served basis. If more overseas students are desired, then it is up to us to build more universities to accommodate the additional numbers.
Family Reunification – Non-dependent family members, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, nephews, nieces, grandparents and cousins will be included in the General Migration numbers.
Returning Australians (NOMs) – Any Australian returning home after a period of absence are not considered migrants and are not included in any migration numbers. The annual number of returnees is variable and not fixed.
Tourist Holiday Visas – Holiday makers coming to Australia for a holiday are not considered migrants and are recorded in the holiday visitors’ numbers only.
Working Holiday Visas – These are self-funded visitors who are coming to Australia for a holiday, but are allowed to work during their period of stay. This figure is flexible, as their main purpose of travel is to visit Australia, working is just a means by which to fund their trip.
Business Migration – This is for specific businesses, that require a foreign owner, manager or specialist to come and work in their Australian subsidiary. These visas are issued on a five-year basis and can be renewed.
Temporary Farmhand Visas – There is no limit to the number of temporary overseas workers that can come and work on Australian farms. The number of visas is set by the numbers required by our farmers.
New Zealanders – Although this policy can remain, we must be mindful of not undermining the New Zealand economy by draining New Zealand of all its best and brightest. We may need to have discussions with New Zealand as to whether caps should be placed upon the number of New Zealanders coming to Australia or the type of skilled persons coming. We don’t want to leave New Zealand without any doctors.
Migrants with a certain skill set will always be in demand, but non-skilled migrants should not be excluded and family migration should always be high on the agenda, as family members will help their new family arrivals to integrate better.
We will continue to practice allowing someone to hold dual citizenship, when they apply for Australian citizenship. Being a dual citizen is not a threat or issue for Australia, as so many dual citizens have proven. Being a dual citizen will not prevent you from doing anything in Australia, but where there may be a conflict, then the person has to swear allegiance to Australia and put Australia first. Someone who puts their former nationality before Australia would fall foul of the Australia citizenship test and be deported.
