MEDIA RELEASE: LABOR VOTES TO DISALLOW INCREASE IN FEES FOR MIGRANT PENSIONERS, VETERANS AND WIDOWS

LABOR VOTES TO DISALLOW INCREASE IN FEES FOR MIGRANT PENSIONERS, VETERANS AND WIDOWS

TUESDAY, 26 JUNE 2018

Last night Labor voted to disallow the Government’s cruel removal of a discount for pensioners, veterans, and widows who normally pay $20 or $40 for citizenship applications instead of $285.
 
The successful disallowance means that pensioners, widows, and veterans will still be eligible for the discount and therefore are protected from the Liberal Party’s cruel attempt at preventing them from becoming citizens.
 
Just like the proposed changes to the racial discrimination act, the university level English language test for citizenship, cruel proposed changes to Assurance of Support requirements, this is yet another attack on hardworking families who have migrated to Australia.
 
The Turnbull Government is seeking to create a permanent underclass of non-citizens living in Australia and creating yet another unnecessary hurdle for migrant families to jump through before being settled. 
 
Labor wants to encourage people to apply for citizenship, to make a pledge of commitment to this country, and to be welcomed to Australia.