SENATOR KRISTINA KENEALLY
DEPUTY LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES
ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
Labor welcomes the decision by the Government to enable online, secure citizenship ceremonies during the COVID-19 crisis.
We have been calling on the Morrison Government to outline a plan that would ensure permanent residents about to become citizens would still have the opportunity to pledge allegiance to Australia during this crisis.
A citizenship ceremony is one of the most important ceremonies members of our community take and it comes after years of living in, and contributing to, Australia, along with completing the required citizenship test.
Labor wrote to the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, proposing the adoption of online citizenship ceremonies, on behalf of thousands of people who want to complete their journey to Australian citizenship.
The cancellation of traditional citizenship ceremonies has caused anxiety for many people and we are pleased that a solution has been found that meets social distancing requirements and allows people to pledge allegiance to Australia.
Labor is committed to working constructively with the Government to do everything we can to support and protect Australians during this crisis, including our newest Australians.