Canberra Govt to look at 'the New Austr-aliens’

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33110, 28 December 1972, Page 9

Canberra Govt to look at 'the New Austr-aliens’

f.V Z PA Reuter—Copyright ’ CANBERRA. December 27. Ihe Australian Labour Government’s Minister of Immigration Mr \lbcrt Grassby) plans to have the words “British subject” dropped from \ustralian passports, “because the term is misleading, and sometimes embarrassing to \ustralian travellers.”

Mr Grassby said tojday that he had ordered lan immediate departmental review of Australia’s immigration practices and procedures and one of the things he would be looking at was the possibility of a swearing-in ceremony for British immigrants as well as others. “There is no intention to retaliate against Britain over her entry into the Common Market That would be absurd.” Mr Grassby said. Migrants from countries other than Britain became Australian citiziens at such a ceremony while British immigrants applied for citizenship as if they were apply-( ing for a dog licence.

“I would like to see one ceremony in future. I regard Australian citizenship as primary” Mr Grassby said. “British immigrants would not be asked to give up British citizenship, nor would the rights of migrants already here be affected.

I “We would hope that all migrants would be part of (the Australian adventure and part of the Australian family.” One of the aspects of immigration to be examined was whether British migrants would have voting rights in Australia without applying for Australian citizenship. The review would cover the right that Australian citizens had in other countries. “1 don’t know whether Australian citizens can vote in Canada or Ireland, but I don’t think they can,” Mr Grassby said.

The “Sydney Daily Mirror” says today that Australians will strongly back their Government’s decision to remove the words “British subject” from their passports. “It is a hangover from the British-to-the-boot-heels era, and is of no practical use in today’s world,” it says. “The words appear demeaning to many Australians. They seem to make Australian citizenship a second-rate affair.”

However, referring to last night’s announcement by the Government that in future United Kingdom citizens will have to renounce their British

(Citizenship before they be- | come Australian citizens, the newspaper says that the Government may be going uni necessarily far. ! “While it has everything on Jits side in requiring British (subjects to become Australian citizens there is surely (a case, in the special circuni- | stances, to allow them to re[tain dual citizenship." the [newspaper says ( “Maybe not many of them •would want to, but they J should be given the .(chance . . .

| “Mr Grassby is entirely I right when he says that, with Britain going into Europe, it is ridiculous for Australia to (continue acting as though [there was still a British Em-! pire, with one imperial (citizenship.” U.K. reaction In London today, the | "Daily Express" says that Mr. Grassby’s proposals are likely (to bring a sharp reaction from British Conservative! ! members who defied the! party Whips to vote for the [right of Australians to live! land work in Britain without; 1 surrendering their nationality. Under the heading, ‘ rhe! [New Austr-aliens," the news-| paper says: “Without waiting! to see what Mr Heath plans [in his revised immigration! laws, Australia's Labour: • Government has taken a| [sterner stand against Britons; [hiving off to a new 'ife ini |the sun. | “. . . The British Govern-; ment’s promise to redraft the Common Market’s immigra-l (tion laws to allow excep-i Itional treatment for citizens [of the Old Commonwealth !could now be influenced hv this tough, and seemingly tin-; necessary, move.” The “Guardian,” under al five-column heading, “Australia Curbs the Whingeing) Pom.” says: "Australia’s Labour Government today took a I major step towards ending the universal £lO dream of a life in the sun.

'! “It is to cut back sharply • on assisted passages for immigrants. and has devised a [new selection process, based i on sponsorship and familv •ties, that will dispense with colour as a qualification.” The "Guardian" says that (since the Labour Party introduced their "Populate <i Perish" slogan of 1947, the ideal immigrant had been a white Briton from suburbia 'with a small family and limjted ambition. I “That policy tended to attract too many people dis j contented with life in general. and gave birth to Australian contempt for ‘the whingeing Pom’." The “Guardian" goes on to • say that one of the new Labjour Government’s key philo [sophies is that if Australia |is really worth living in. then [people will be ready to pay to go there, I On its back page, the I "Guardian.” under the head (ing of "Sentimental Whit • Hope.” says that the British Cabinet “will work out in the next few weeks sentimental reasons for allowing mote 1 Australians. New Zealanders, (and Canadians unrestricted : right to stay in Britain," and ; it adds: "Mr Heath's Ministers '•want to create new cate • gories for people from the • white Commonwealth who have family or emotional ties [with Britain, but who were [not among the five mIHMn first-generation Australians. New Zealanders, and Canadians. who already have un 'restricted access.”