Call to overhaul Aust, migration system

Press, 3 May 1984, Page 14

Call to overhaul Aust, migration system

NZPA-AAP Sydney Australia needs to conduct a big overhaul of its migration law system as soon as possible, according to the secretary of the Human Rights Commission’s inquiry into the Migration Act.

Dr Sev Ozdowski said that the new system should have an act or code setting out objectives and principles on which Australian immigration should be based and a comprehensive statement on the rights and obligations of migrants. The Migration Act gave no positive guidance on migration and gave almost unlimited discretionary powers to the Minister and his department, Dr Ozdowski told a Law Week seminar in Sydney. The inquiry into the act, the largest undertaking so far by the commission, is being compiled and is expected to be tabled in

Parliament in the Budget session.

Dr Ozdowski said the legislation was out of touch with the most basic principles underlying the Australian legal system as a whole and did not take into account the nature of multicultural Australia. “It breeds bad administration practices in the department and disquiet and apprehension among various sectors of the Australian community.” • He said a new law should curtail the discretionary powers of the Minister and include a comprehensive and efficient review system. “The clarity and stability of a review system will contribute to defusing conflicts over migration issues such as those which arise when the present system discriminates against British, Vietnamese, the Polish or blacks from South Africa. “Such legislation would

also contribute to a better understanding between Australia and its neighbours. It would be a fair-go system for all aspiring migrants.”