Did Australia and New Zealand End Birthright Citizenship?
There has been significant debate and speculation surrounding the topic of birthright citizenship in Australia and New Zealand. In recent years, there have been some proposed changes to the legislation governing citizenship in both countries. This blog post aims to provide a detailed analysis of the current situation and dispel any misconceptions.
The Situation in Australia
In Australia, birthright citizenship is not an automatic right for everyone born on Australian soil. Since 2007, at least one parent must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident at the time of the child's birth for them to acquire Australian citizenship by birth.
It is important to note that this requirement only applies to children born on or after 20 August 1986, the date when the Australian Citizenship Act came into effect. Children born before this date were granted citizenship automatically, regardless of their parents' status.
There have been discussions within the Australian political landscape about further tightening the citizenship laws, such as abolishing birthright citizenship entirely. However, as of now, no concrete changes have been made to the existing legislation.
The Situation in New Zealand
In New Zealand, birthright citizenship is generally granted to anyone born in the country, regardless of their parents' citizenship or residency status. This principle is anchored in the New Zealand Citizenship Act 1977.
However, there have been recent discussions and proposals about potentially amending the law to restrict birthright citizenship. The main argument put forward is that birth tourism, where people intentionally travel to a foreign country to give birth so their child can acquire citizenship there, has become a problem in New Zealand.
Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that no changes have been implemented at the time of writing this blog post. The discussions are ongoing and any amendments will require proper legislative procedures and considerations.
FAQ:
Q: Will Australia and New Zealand completely end birthright citizenship?
A: As of now, Australia has stricter requirements for birthright citizenship than New Zealand. While discussions have taken place in both countries regarding potential changes, no conclusive decisions have been made to completely end birthright citizenship. It is important to stay updated with the latest news and official announcements in case any changes occur in the future.