Some refugees are more equal than others: Australia is set offer a home to Hong Kong nationals fleeing Chinese totalitarianism…but only if they are skilled workers
- Australia could use the skilled migrant visa to resettle Hong Kong nationals
- It comes after national security laws were imposed on the city by China
- New laws criminalise secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia is prepared to 'provide support'
Australia is looking to offer skilled Hong Kong nationals the opportunity to resettle Down Under.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia is 'prepared to step up and provide support' for residents endangered by new national security laws imposed by China.
It's likely the government will use the skilled migrant visa as an avenue for those wishing to flee Hong Kong, The Australian reports.
Ministers were 'actively considering' safe haven arrangements, which would allow all residents a path to Australia, but the fast tracked resettlement of skilled workers is the most likely outcome.
It comes after the United Kingdom opened a path to citizenship for millions of Hong Kong residents.
Australia is looking to offer Hong Kong nationals the opportunity to resettle Down Under through the skilled visa program. Pictured: A protester is detained in Hong Kong
Pictured: Riot police stand guard after pushing back protesters demonstrating against the new security law during the anniversary of the Hong Kong handover from Britain on Wednesday
The cabinet will also deliberate options for Hong Kong nationals who are already in Australia as tourists or on other visas.
A senior government source told the publication the skilled migrant visa had been the topic of conversation as an effective option for Hong Kong nationals.
The visa allows people to sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence in Australia.
Liberal MP Tim Wilson welcomed the consideration of the safe haven.
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'Australia shares strong values and aspirations with Hong Kong liberal democrats and would provide a safer, freer existence than under the Chinese Communist Party,' he said.
Ben Bland, the Lowy Institute's Southeast Asia program director, said Australia's quality of life and economic opportunities is a selling point.
'But many Hongkongers want to stay and struggle for the future of their city,' he said.
'To flee your home, friends and family, potentially forever, is not an easy decision.'
Pictured: A police officer raises his pepper spray handgun as he detains a man during a march against the national security law on Wednesday
The new laws in Hong Kong criminalise secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces.
A teenage girl waving an independence flag was among hundreds of people arrested during protests against the laws in Hong Kong this week.
China bypassed Hong Kong's Legislative Council to pass the sweeping legislation without public consultation.
Mr Morrison's British counterpart Boris Johnson has unveiled firm plans for the UK to take in up to three million Hong Kong residents.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions Mr Johnson said: 'The enactment an imposition of this national security law constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British joint declaration.
'It violates Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and is in direct conflicts with Hong Kong's basic laws. The law also threatens freedoms and rights protected by the joint declaration.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia is 'prepared to step up and provide support' for residents endangered by new national security laws imposed by China
'We made clear that if China continued down this path we would introduce a new route for those with ''British National Overseas'' status to enter the UK, granting them limited leave to remain with the ability to live and work in the UK and thereafter to apply for citizenship, and that is precisely what we will do now.'
Mr Morrison said Australia was looking to provide 'similar opportunities' as the UK.
'There are proposals that I asked to be brought forward several weeks ago and the final touches will be put on those,' Mr Morrison said on Thursday.
'They'll soon be considered by cabinet to provide similar opportunities.
'We think that's important and very consistent with who we are as a people and very consistent practically with the views we have expressed.'
Foreign Minister Marise Payne expressed deep concern about the 'troubling' laws and warned the world would continue watching Hong Kong closely.
Senator Payne said the laws threatened Hong Kong's judicial independence and the rights and freedoms of its people.
Pro-democracy demonstrators are pictured during protests in Hong Kong last year
The Chinese embassy in Australia condemned her remarks and accused the minister of meddling in Hong Kong's affairs.
'We strongly deplore (the) Australian foreign minister's statement,' the embassy said in a statement.
'We hope the Australian side takes an objective and rational view on the legislation, abide by international law and basic norms of international relations, and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs.'
Australian lawyers fear the broadly defined national security offences will have a chilling effect on public life in Hong Kong.
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