The
Liberal government and immediately after defeating Kevin Rudd's
government 2013, started implementing its electoral promises. The
first promise was to punish the refugees and asylum seekers arrived
by boats. The job was assigned to the then minister for immigration
Scott Morrison, currently PM.
Not
only he introduced harsh temporary protection visa system (TPV). He
also introduced further punishment for all refugees who was granted
permanent protection visas.
As
he could not cancel their visas, he issued directive 62 specifying
that permanent residents who arrived by boats should not be allowed
to bring their immediate families (partners and kids) to Australia
ever. Directive 62 specified that these permanent residents should
not be allowed to bring their families until they become citizens.
This specific issue was found to be violating Australian constitution
by ruling of High Court 2016 as it discriminates between permanent
residents according to the way they arrived to Australia.
Directive
62 also directed the department of immigration not to approve any
citizenship to any permanent resident who arrived by boat, until all
other applicants for citizenship are granted the citizenship. This
meant that permanent residents who arrived by boats will never be
granted citizenship and will never be reunited with their loved ones.
Without citizenship, they also could not travel to their homeland to
live with their partners and children. They also will not be able to
travel to many (if not the majority) of Western countries seeking
better life with their children.
Most
of permanent residents affected by this directive was already living
in the community since 2011-2012.
What
happened later was horrific. These people were living without their
families since they departed their homeland (between 2010-2011). The
ones who dared to travel to meet their families, had their visa
canceled upon return.
Tens
of these refugees contacted me and asked for help. We were powerless.
The government just disregarded the ruling of High Court. And the
refugees were very scared to speak up. There was no clear solution.
At
the beginning of March 2018, I came up with the idea that will end
these people's suffering pretty instantly. I contacted many refugees
and explained to them the idea. Many of them welcomed the idea.
The
idea was simple: NZ allows any Australian permanent resident to enter
and live in NZ indefinitely without a visa. Upon their arrival, they
can apply to NZ authorities to get their families to come to live
with them in NZ. I was told by NZ authorities that such application
would be approved within 2-3 months. The family will enjoy living in
NZ together. After 2 years of living in NZ as Australian permanent
residents and family of Australian PR, the family will be qualified
to NZ permanent residency.
To
help me spread the word about the 'project' I contacted journalists
from Chanel 7 and 9. Both welcomed covering the story. In fact they
were competing on the story, and asked me to give one of them the
'exclusive' right to cover the project.
I
decided to give the story to Chanel 7. Bryan Seymour came to see me
on the next day. I organised him to film two Iraqi refugees on
permanent residency who want to try the solution.
I
called the solution 'NZ Solution' to counteract the harsh inhumane
'pacific solution' re-introduced by Gillard government.
Bryan
Seymour contacted both NZ and Australian immigration department. Both
confirmed to him that NZ solution is viable and legal.
The
story was never aired because we were waiting for a refugee to travel
to NZ and bring his family to live with him in NZ.
Within
this waiting time, the Australian government 'changed its heart'
suddenly. Immigration was removed from Peter Dutton portfolio. The
new minister, David Coleman, defied Directive 62 (which was replaced
by almost identical Directive 72 and then Directive 80).
Until
now, the official announced policy is Directive 80 which prevents
permanent residents arrived by boats from citizenship and so
prevented them from family reunion. But practically, tens (if not
hundreds) of them were granted citizenship and had their families
joined them quietly in Australia following August removal of Dutton
as Immigration minister.
The
change of government policy on citizenship for boat residents made
all affected people change their mind to relocate to NZ. They now
have a hope that at some stage soon they will be allowed to bring
their loved ones to live with them in Australia.
If
our story was aired on Channel 7 (or other channels) mid 2018, you
can imagine the international embarrassment this government would
have faced. We would have proven that NZ authorities treat Australian
permanent residents and their families better that the treatment they
received from their own government.
One
achievement we achieved on this front. And this is why on Monday 29
July, I put the government on notice during the rally demanding
justice for refugees on TPV and asylum seekers arrived by boats.
Despite
the fact that the Australian authorities had moved quickly to
infiltrate the Justice for Refugees movement to divide it, we still
insist to tell them 'do not test our patience'.
I am confident that we will defeat this
government because it left 30,000 people with no hope. It turned them
into ticking bombs. These people are ready to do anything to see any
glimpse of hope at the end of the tunnel.
I
here urge Scott Morrison to back off and stop playing with fire.
