The Hong Kongers looking to call Australia home
As China enforced its National Security Law on Hong Kong from 1st July, many pro-democracy citizens of Hong Kong from around the world are beginning to question whether their freedoms will be affected. In fact, many professionals and students moved to Australia to secure their freedoms, rights and a bright career path, or to ensure their own safety to avoid prosecution under the National Security Law. Many of them fear that they will be prosecuted once they return Hong Kong as they have supported the protests in Hong Kong.
Some critics stated that the Morrison government's proposal did not go far enough as it protected only a handful of students and it was unclear who would be eligible for the new visa. The new proposal has too many uncertainties. Under the new arrangements, current and future students from Hong Kong will be eligible for a five-year temporary graduate visa upon the conclusion of their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency after that. Former students already on a temporary graduate visa can have their visa extended for five extra years. Yet, the same question remains: What will happen next after five years, when the visa expires?
Since Hong Kongers are well-known as “Hard working” and “creative”, most Hong Kongers would probably be able to contribute to the societies of western countries using their unique characteristics and skills and blend in to their new community easily. What Hong Kongers want is a “safe-haven” that can grant us freedoms, rights and safety guaranteed under the Basic Law.
Source:
https://www.afr.com/world/asia/the-hong-kongers-looking-to-call-australia-home-20200710-p55auy
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-12/hong-kong-visa-acting-minister-for-immigration-alan-tudge/12446754
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/hong-kong
#Hongkongers #Freedom
#Australia #SafeHaven
As China enforced its National Security Law on Hong Kong from 1st July, many pro-democracy citizens of Hong Kong from around the world are beginning to question whether their freedoms will be affected. In fact, many professionals and students moved to Australia to secure their freedoms, rights and a bright career path, or to ensure their own safety to avoid prosecution under the National Security Law. Many of them fear that they will be prosecuted once they return Hong Kong as they have supported the protests in Hong Kong.
Some critics stated that the Morrison government's proposal did not go far enough as it protected only a handful of students and it was unclear who would be eligible for the new visa. The new proposal has too many uncertainties. Under the new arrangements, current and future students from Hong Kong will be eligible for a five-year temporary graduate visa upon the conclusion of their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency after that. Former students already on a temporary graduate visa can have their visa extended for five extra years. Yet, the same question remains: What will happen next after five years, when the visa expires?
Since Hong Kongers are well-known as “Hard working” and “creative”, most Hong Kongers would probably be able to contribute to the societies of western countries using their unique characteristics and skills and blend in to their new community easily. What Hong Kongers want is a “safe-haven” that can grant us freedoms, rights and safety guaranteed under the Basic Law.
Source:
https://www.afr.com/world/asia/the-hong-kongers-looking-to-call-australia-home-20200710-p55auy
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-12/hong-kong-visa-acting-minister-for-immigration-alan-tudge/12446754
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/hong-kong
#Hongkongers #Freedom
#Australia #SafeHaven
Australian Financial Review
The Hong Kongers looking to call Australia home
Students and workers from Hong Kong in Australia are worried about their safety if they return to the city where they were born.
#Asylum #SafeHaven
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
Source: Stand News #Jan11
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Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
Source: Stand News #Jan11
Read more
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#Asylum #SafeHaven
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
#Australia, in response to the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020, had established a "safe haven" policy for Hongkongers.
The Guardian, citing data from the Department of Home Affairs, have found that only around 3,000 Hongkongers have benefitted from this programme.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick in Australia proposed that Hong Kong BNO holders and their family members should also be included in the programme.
In January 2021, over 50 pan-democratic activists were arrested for violating the National Security Law, sparking another wave of concern regarding Hongkongers long-term civil rights.
The Australian Government had announced in July 2020 that it would provide Hongkongers with a policy of convenience, allowing a maximum five-year extension for Graduate and Temporary Skill Shortage Visas, the right to apply for permanent residence, and implementing innovation and immigration policies to attract Hong Kong talents.
The Australian Government had then stated that around ten thousand technical personnel, graduates and international students from Hong Kong, and 2,500 Hongkongers not then in Australia could benefit from the new policy, with them dealing with 1,250 applications for residency from Hongkongers then.
However, The Guardian, with the data they received, showed that only 2,584 Hongkongers had their visas extended since the implementation of the new policy, with around 586 Hongkongers applying for Business Innovation and Investment visas.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick urged the Australian Government to increase its support towards Hongkongers, including receiving Hongkongers holding BNO passports and their family. He warned that the Chinese Government have been accelerating its oppression on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Hong Kong, and that "Australia should open its doors for our Hong Kong friends seeking refuge, to allow a chance of tasting democracy and liberty."
Source: Stand News #Jan11
#Visa #Refuge #Hongkongers
Australian Senator Urges Australian Government to Accept Hongkongers Holding #BNO Passports
#Australia, in response to the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in 2020, had established a "safe haven" policy for Hongkongers.
The Guardian, citing data from the Department of Home Affairs, have found that only around 3,000 Hongkongers have benefitted from this programme.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick in Australia proposed that Hong Kong BNO holders and their family members should also be included in the programme.
In January 2021, over 50 pan-democratic activists were arrested for violating the National Security Law, sparking another wave of concern regarding Hongkongers long-term civil rights.
The Australian Government had announced in July 2020 that it would provide Hongkongers with a policy of convenience, allowing a maximum five-year extension for Graduate and Temporary Skill Shortage Visas, the right to apply for permanent residence, and implementing innovation and immigration policies to attract Hong Kong talents.
The Australian Government had then stated that around ten thousand technical personnel, graduates and international students from Hong Kong, and 2,500 Hongkongers not then in Australia could benefit from the new policy, with them dealing with 1,250 applications for residency from Hongkongers then.
However, The Guardian, with the data they received, showed that only 2,584 Hongkongers had their visas extended since the implementation of the new policy, with around 586 Hongkongers applying for Business Innovation and Investment visas.
Independent Senator Rex Patrick urged the Australian Government to increase its support towards Hongkongers, including receiving Hongkongers holding BNO passports and their family. He warned that the Chinese Government have been accelerating its oppression on democracy, human rights, and rule of law in Hong Kong, and that "Australia should open its doors for our Hong Kong friends seeking refuge, to allow a chance of tasting democracy and liberty."
Source: Stand News #Jan11
#Visa #Refuge #Hongkongers