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A key pillar of Australia’s success in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has been its closure of international borders. This paper addresses the principal issues concerning repatriation policy, and sets out recommendations to address deficiencies.
This report acknowledges the enduring successes of Australian democracy. It is important to also understand the social changes that have posed new challenges to democratic participation and stability. The committee believes that this report demonstrates why Australia’s democratic institutions matter, and why reinvigorating them is...
This paper examines the operation of the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) and draws attention to the diversity of illegal migrants who were not awarded citizenship.
Some Australians report a growing sense that democracy is under threat. Around the world, voters seem increasingly dissatisfied with how democratic politics works for them. This paper discusses the current landscape and some of the relevant emerging trends.
Unwilling to confront the genuine and ongoing problems now the dual citizen genie is out of the bottle, the government says candidates for parliament simply need to get their paperwork in order.
Australia’s founders knew the circumstances and expectations of Australian society would change over time. To address this, they ensured Australian citizens could amend the Constitution, via a referendum, to reflect contemporary expectations. But quite rightly, it is not an easy process to change the rules...
The parliamentary report on dual citizenship was barely out before the government rejected its key recommendation. It’s time for some lateral thinking, argues Peter Brent.
The present case turns on just how wide the “all reasonable steps” exception is held to be. Does section 44 just require a person to take all reasonable steps within their power to renounce, regardless of whether that renunciation is actually effective?
This report examines the conduct of the Federal Communications Minister, Mitch Fifield, and whether he conformed to the Principles of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, in relation to his knowledge of former Senator, Stephen Parry's dual-citizenship status.
It is time to accept that Section 44 of the Australian Constitution is irretrievably broken. In its current form, it is creating chaos that is consuming our politicians, argues Joe McIntyre.
This article considers the case for a national strategy for civics and citizenship education in New Zealand and potential next steps for achieving this.
Instead of telling the Senate President, Stephen Parry, that he should be transparent, for the sake of the integrity of both the government and the parliament, senior Turnbull Government members allegedly encouraged him to 'wait and see.' This can only reinforce the Australian public’s deep...
This bill seeks to make changes to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Citizenship Act) and the Migration Act 1958 (Migration Act), proposing to introduce additional requirements for people seeking to obtain citizenship by conferral.
This 'Bills Digest' looks at the Turnbull Government’s announcement on 20 April 2017, regarding a series of changes to citizenship policy with the intention to ‘strengthen citizenship’.
George Williams is Dean of Law at the University of New South Wales. This is the full text of his address to the National Press Club on 30 August 2017.
The citizenship debacle engulfing the Nationals, and in turn the Coalition government, has as much to do with trust and integrity as it does with the constitution. Being consistent is important in business and in government.
Tony Burke, the Opposition spokesman for citizenship and multicultural Australia, claims a new language test proposed by the Government would demand the same level of English proficiency that is required for university admission — a standard too stringent