Thank you for your ongoing support at this extraordinary time of our lives!
On 17 April 2020 the case of Troyzone Lee v The Department of Home Affairs had judgement handed down. It was a celebratory win for Mr Lee after four years of battling with the government.
You can read the story here:
The victory held for 28 days and then at the last minute, the Department of Home Affairs lodged an appeal.
You can read the story here:
Troy’s story is one of many variations of stories from people born in Papua and New Guinea pre independence.
There are men who are detention centres in Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland who have been charged under S22 of the Australian Citizenship Act who have committed crimes and because they were born in Papua or New Guinea, are being detained until they can be deported. The PNG Government has refused to accept these people and the story of Gus Kuster is a clear example of the Australian Government’s audacity to impose its laws without consultation to the PNG Government.
The win in the High Court matter of Daniel Love and Brendan Thoms both of Aboriginal descent, stating that Aboriginals cannot be deemed “alien” (in the case of Australian citizenship) saw the release of Danny Gibuma, a Torres Strait Islander (TSI) and native title land owner who identified as a TSI though born in the islands near Daru, Papua, before independence.
As you can see, there are so many different stories out there of Australians caught up in this bureaucratic nightmare and being subjected to psychological and emotional trauma because of being born in an external territory. You will not read in the media about those affected who are intimidated by the authorities and threatened with deportation, visa cancellation (that’s another story!), detainment.
Those who are given the pathway of becoming a “NEW” citizen will submit to the Government’s requirements and produce the paperwork required and pay the fee of $285 to reinstate their citizenship and their history of being good citizens and their entire lives on these shores, are erased from record when they receive their new certificate dated from the day of issuance and not their birth date.
While the petition numbers continue to grow, slowly, there is little influence and impact we can make to change with the powers that be. So PLEASE continue to share and let’s get the numbers we so desperately need to bring about change.
Please visit the facebook page Australian Citizens Born in Papua and New Guinea for further information. You can post your story on this page. Thank you. Keep safe. Vitoula.