Ten Pound Poms !

There are a lot of people living in Australia who think they are Australian citizens - until they need a passport to have a cruise or take a holiday in Bali - and find that their status remains merely that of a " permitted resident " !

It all harks back to the days after the end of the second world war when the Australian government adopted the " Populate or  perish " theme and urgently installed what became known as the " Ten Pound Pom " offer. People holding British citizenship were invited to migrate to Australia with the Australian government paying their fare in exchange for their contribution of ten English pounds for each adult.   Children travelled free and between 1945 and 1969  80,000 people arrived on our shores.

This offer contained conditions that did not apply to other immigrants from Europe.  People from Britain were granted all the rights that native born Australians take for granted.   They were immediately able to vote in Federal, state and council elections, stand for parliament and access social services on equal terms.  Most saw no difference and assumed that this included citizenship, hence few bothered to start the process of applying for citizenship in Australia.

Many who arrived as little children - and some who were actually born on board the boat during the journey - grew up and went to school believing they were normal Aussie kids.   Today - many of them are approaching old age and have families of their own, born in this country and therefore legal citizens.  It comes as a shock to learn that their own status is not so secure.

Should one of these " Ten Pound Poms " commit a serious crime that results in a gaol sentence, upon release the Australian government could deport that person back to England by cancelling the " permitted resident " status.    This has happened on occasion, much to the dismay of those who thought they were enjoying all the protection and safety of Australian citizenship - only to find that this was not so. !

Many people who have lived here their entire adult lives have had no reason to question their citizenship.  It is usually when need for a passport arises that they discover that they are denied this document and must apply to a country which to them is completely " foreign ".

Those finding themselves in that situation would be well advised to rectify the omission - and lodge a citizenship application !