February 12, 2002	Tuesday	Ziqa’ad 28, 1422

CANBERRA, Feb 11: All Australians will be allowed dual citizenship under changes set to go to parliament this week to cater for growing numbers who live overseas.

Australians born overseas can currently hold dual citizenship, but those born in Australia cannot.

Citizenship Minister Gary Hardgrave said a bill to amend the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 would bring Australia into line with the citizenship practices of many countries, including Britain, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and France.

He said the legislation was outdated given the large number of Australians working and living overseas and the reality of global labour markets.

“(This) will allow the growing number of internationally Australians to take advantage of opportunities in other countries while retaining their links with Australia,” Hardgrave said in a statement.

“This will also encourage Australians overseas to more easily bring their skills and experience home, creating jobs and contributing to their great country.”

He said up to 700 Australians living overseas each year now forfeit their citizenship when they opt for citizenship of another country. In contrast, 4.4 million mainly overseas-born Australians of the country’s population of 19.3 million have dual citizenship.—Reuters