Australia's+immigration+policy

AUSTRALIA'S IMMIGRATION POLICY

Do you think Australia's policy is non-discriminatory? Record your answer underneath but do not delete anyone else's comment. Simply write your message underneath the previous comment. Indicate your comment as:

__Ms Walker__ - //Australia's policy of immigration may appear to be non discriminatory but in practice the Points test and health requirements in fact may mean that some potential migrants are unable to become lawful non citizens.//

__Rachel Pace__ - //Australia's policy for immigration at times may appear to be discriminatory. It appears discriminatory to people, because migrants who cannot pass the character test and the health requirements do not gain access to a visa. However, these tests and requirements help keep Australia safe from undesirable criminals, stop the spread of illnesses, and protect Government money. Australia has put in place bodies were migrants can petition for their right to obtain a visa. This proves that they are not trying to be discriminatory, they are just keeping Australia safe.//

__Jemma Young__- Australia's policy for immigration at sometimes does appear to be discriminatory when it comes to migrants who cannot pass the character or health test. Althought this is at the best interest of trying to keep the current citizens of Australia safe and economically settle. If the government sees fit that a person should not be a lawful citizen then they clearly have the right idea, because even though it may seem discriminatory it is what is best for the rest of this popluation

__Rebecca Towerton__ - Australia's immigration policy may appear discriminatory because of the high score that is needed to pass the Points test and the high standard of health requirements they need to be met. Although this is the case, Australia's immigration policy is definately non-discriminatory. The government just puts these regulations into place so that the Australian society is safe and protected.

__Justine Newie Salazar__ - Australia’s migration policy is labelled as non discriminatory as migrants are acknowledged from any country and are not disqualified due to the basis of an individual’s ethnicity, colour, language or religious beliefs. According to the 2006 Australian Census, Australia’s population was then around 20 million people and of those reporting country of birth, about 24 per cent were born overseas and 45 per cent were either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. The Immigration Policy only appears to be discriminatory with regulations such as the points test and health requirements; as these are used as safeguards to prtotect Australian citizens.

__Claude Vidal__- Australias migration policy is unnintentionaly discriminatory as it only allows migrants to pass if they pass thorough health and character requirements. the requirement excludes people who can potentialy pose a problem to australias society as well as the people who have no fault in possesing characteristics that excluded them in the first place

__Sarah Nega-__ It is my opinion that although Australia's immigration policy is intended to be non-discriminatory and the rejection of applicants is aimed at the protection of Australian society, the exclusion of applicants based upon their health status, age, english proficiency and even their criminal record still remains a form of discrimination. This fact is substantiated through the following publication from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (D.I.M.A.) which states: "Australia has a non discriminatory immigration policy, which means that anyone from any country can apply to migrate regardless of their ethnic origin, their sex, colour or religion. If [and ONLY if] a person satisfies Australia's selection criteria, he or she stands an equal chance of being successful". Through this argument it is clear that Australia's immigration policy is in fact highly discriminatory.

__Mary Nega-__ The Equal Opportunities Commission defines unlawful discrimination to be based upon disability ( //physical or intellectual//), race, age, sex, sexuality, pregnancy, or marital status. Thus, Australia's immigration policy as rejecting 'undesirables' based upon their physical health, and age is by it's own definition disriminatory. Another obviously discriminatory aspect of Australia's immigration policy is the immigration minister's ability to exercise discretionary powers in specific cases. Consequently, the conclusion can be drawn that Australia's immigration policy is not 'non-discriminatory'.

__Rebecca Hunt & Sarah Spadaro:__ There are various mechanism put in place to select only the most valuable and desirable migrants to come into Australia. The government put these mechanism in place to ensure that the standard of quality is of a high quality, as they are able to effectively contribute to the Australain economy and fill the shortages within the work force. This highlights how the Australian government is not being discrimatory just simply having Australia's best interest at heart. The government must enforce strict regulations and policies to ensure that the most suitable migrants are let into Australia. With this in mind, the character tests and health requirements are of a high standard to ensure that migrants are not considered a burden upon the Australian society.