I would like to voice my sincere appreciation to the Australian government for proposing that Australian born Maltese people who were forced to renounce their citizenship under Section 18, will shortly be able to regain Australian citizenship, the only proviso being that they are of good character. This is long awaited good news is cause for celebration.

Unfortunately, the same Citizenship Bill 2005 has specifically denied Australian citizenship to our present children whose average age is 11. As my own status is about to be rectified by the proposed amendments; any future children I have will have a right to Australian citizenship. This leads to an anomaly resulting in split families were some children would have unhindered access to Australia while older children would not – an unusual and sad family situation. Section 18 adults know too well what restricted access to Australia means.

In the same Bill Section 17 people have been granted Australian citizenship “together” with their children. As Section 17 covers the whole world the number of their children would dramatically outnumber the estimated 3000 Maltese children.

During a recent discussion held on the subject with Prime Minister Howard, I was told, “We are talking about people in their 20s and 30s” – while this is true, their average age using real figures, made available to the Australian government, clearly shows an average age of 11, my own Kim and Claire are only eight and six years old. Other children granted Australian citizenship are aged up to 50+ years, therefore not granting Australian citizenship to Maltese children due to the wide age span is invalid.

Another factor that needs to be considered is that the circumstances surrounding renunciation under Section 18 and loss of Australian citizenship under Section 17 are very similar and should not be discriminated against. Many Section 17 chose to take another citizenship to enable them to live a normal unrestricted life in another country. Similarly, Australian born Maltese people were forced to renounce their citizenship to carry on with a normal life specifically at the educational/career critical age of 18.

I, and 2000 other affected people and their 3000 children, appeal to the Australian government to seriously consider including our children in the proposed Bill.

If you are one of the affected persons, please visit http://www.southern-cross-group.org/minister.php and send your submission directly to Canberra if you have not already done so. To obtain further details SMS Norman Bonello on 7946 8329 with your name, 21 home number and e-mail address, if any.

Norman Bonello

SIGGIEWI