The Australian Government has implemented a new order, which came into effect on February 28, that prevents individuals who have previously been convicted of violent crimes against women and children from entering the country.
An official statement by the Australian government explains that the new order applies regardless of the conviction.
‘The Direction is designed to prevent the entry to Australia of people convicted of violent crimes against women or children, regardless of the nation in which the offence occurred or the sentence that was handed down.’
Australia’s Minsiter for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, David Coleman, issued a Ministerial Direction to the country’s visa decision-makers under s499 of the Migration Act 1958.
Coleman says the country has no tolerance for perpetrators of violence against women and children.
‘The message is clear: if you’ve been convicted of a violent crime against women or children, you are not welcome in this country. Wherever the offence occurred, whatever the sentence – Australia has no tolerance for domestic violence perpetrators,’ he says.
The new order applies to decision-makers within the Department of Home Affairs who are considering the cancellation or refusal of a visa under s501 of the Migration Act of 1958 or who are considering the revocation of a mandatory cancellation of a visa under s501CA.
‘The Direction is binding on departmental decision-makers and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).’
Under this order, when decision-makers or ATT members are considering a specific case, all crimes against women and children must be treated as serious and deplorable crimes regardless of the sentence imposed by courts.
Perpetrators guilty of domestic violence can expect to be denied entry into or forfeit the privilege of staying in Australia.
The new directive builds on existing laws, which under the s501 of the Migration act individual’s visas must be cancelled if they have been sentenced to 12 months or more in prison.
Coleman adds that the Australian government will continually look at ways to strengthen the Migration Act to keep Australians safe.
‘While current provisions have been effective, these changes will further strengthen the law and make a very clear statement that Australia regards crimes against women and children as particularly abhorrent.’
The current coalition has cancelled more than 4,150 visas of foreign criminals.
‘By cancelling the visas of criminals, we have made Australia a safer place.These crimes inflict long-lasting trauma on the victims and their friends and family, and foreign criminals who commit them are not welcome in our country,’ says Coleman.
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