Our petition is surging! Together we have signed it over 3200 times, gaining lots of media coverage, and even a response from the Department of Home Affairs. 

Yesterday, the Australian queer press widely reported on our petition with articles in OutinPerth, Star Observer and QNews. Thanks as well to @kaleidoscopenews and others who have been posting about the petition.

Today, the Department of Home Affairs responded when questioned by OutinPerth, stating what while they can’t comment on any specific cases, they reserve the right to cancel a person’s visa on character grounds, and that “a person may not pass the character test on a number of grounds, including but not limited to, if they have a substantial criminal record, or where their conduct represents a risk to the Australian community.”

Reading between the lines this response shows that the Department is considering the matter but has not yet reached a decision.

That means that over the coming days we need to do all we can to keep this in the news and keep the pressure on. 

Let’s keep sharing the petition widely and make sure our voices are so loud that we can’t be ignored. 

In solidarity,
Jodie