Out with the aged
Well, the government certainly does not think so. My husband is a “young” 85-year-old.
Two years ago he mislaid his Australian passport, he needed to travel to visit a family member so he asked for a replacement. To his astonishment, DOHA refused to give him one. He has retained eight Australian passports, all giving his nationality as Australian and confirming him to be a citizen of Australia.
He was not born in Australia, he arrived aged two as an evacuee with his mother in 1942, both British subjects. He was educated in Geelong, called up for National service at 18, married an Australian, worked for many years in Melbourne, and raised a family.
Yet at 82, they have told him that “in their opinion” he is not Australian. The reason given is that he cannot provide a certificate. NAA confirm no certificates were given in the 1940s and they keep no records for British subjects’ passports prior to 1980. DFAT told him that his first passport was issued to him in 1980 and were perplexed when he gave them the details of his 1975 passport, which they agreed was indeed a legitimate document. It is a disgrace.
Contributions to Pearls and Irritations
Your contribution will fund quality independent comment and analysis in Pearls and Irritations
Contribute
