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
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
The Morrison Government must act quickly to avoid already long citizenship processing times becoming even longer.
Labor is very concerned that COVID-19 will lead to further delays for the 85,000 people who want to pledge allegiance to Australia and call themselves Australians.
We understand that citizenship ceremonies are one of the most important events members of the community take part in and it comes after years of living in and contributing to our country.
People wanting to become Australian citizens have had to wait for two years because of the Liberal Government’s funding cuts to the Department of Home Affairs and neglect of citizenship processing.
Last month, 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.
Labor welcomes the recent news that trials of one-on-one online ceremonies are now taking place and welcomes our newest Australians.
However, the Coalition Government has provided very little information about who is being included in these new online ceremonies, and how long people will need to wait for their turn.
This is frustrating people desperate to complete their journey to Australian citizenship, as well local councils, who remain in the dark.
The Morrison Government has currently provided no information for the tens of thousands of people who are waiting for their citizenship interviews and test.
Alan Tudge must act quickly to avoid already long citizenship processing times becoming even longer.