Published on : Saturday, March 16, 2019
The new law about the Australia ban, adds to the existing legislation that withholds or removes visitor visas if the visa holder has been sentenced to 12 months or more in jail.
Immigration Minister David Coleman said in a public statement the link opens in a new tab which indicates: “If you’ve been convicted of a violent crime against women or children, you are not welcome in this country.” In the past, Australia has denied travel visas to R&B singer Chris Brown and boxing star Floyd Mayweather due to domestic violence convictions.
By cancelling the visas of criminals Australia is being made a safer place. In this year’s Global Liveability Index from The Economist, after seven years of being ranked the most liveable city in the world, Melbourne was usurped.
New Zealand argues that the Australia ban policy is forcing New Zealand-born offenders who have served their sentence and have lived most of their life in Australia to leave their chosen home. It is unwelcome news for foreign offenders who have made Australia their home and will now be asked to leave.