On February 28, Australia passed a law banning travelers with a history of domestic violence charges against women or children from entering the country.
This new law will impact potential visitors from any country in the world and no matter where or when the crime was committed. Additionally, you will be swiftly kicked out of the country if you are currently visiting or living in Australia on a visa and have a record of domestic violence charges.
Australia has been very vocal about their lack of tolerance for domestic violence criminals in the past, denying entry visas to both Chris Brown and boxer Floyd Mayweather due to their previous convictions.
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Australia is sending a very clear message: ”If you’ve been convicted of a violent crime against women or children, you are not welcome in this country,” said Immigration Minister David Coleman in a public statement.
This new law piggybacks existing legislation that rejects or removes visitor visas if the traveler has ever been sentenced to 12 months or more in jail for any crime.
“By cancelling the visas of criminals we have made Australia a safer place,” Coleman said. “These crimes inflict long-lasting trauma on the victims and their friends and family, and foreign criminals who commit them are not welcome in our country.”
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It seems that these policies have been put into effect in an attempt to lower domestic crime rates within the country and make citizens feel safer, protected, and more supported by their government. However, New Zealand has argued that the new legislation is unfair to foreign offenders who have served their time and now call Australia home.
[Source: The Epoch Times]
