JAKARTA - Australian Prime Minister (PM) Scott Morrison announced steps to help Hong Kongers start a new life in Australia. A number of policies were opened, including extending visas for up to five years.
The announcement was made after China enacted the National Security Act (UU) which has been running for a week. According to Reuters on Thursday, July 9, Morrison also suspended an extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
Under the Law on National Security, suspects can be sent to stand trial in Communist Party controlled courts in mainland China. Morrison said the National Security Act was a fundamental change in circumstances and Australia would suspend an extradition treaty.
"There will be Hong Kongers who may seek and move to start a new life elsewhere, to use their skills, their business," said Morrison.
He announced the visa policy measures would help Hong Kong residents already in Australia to stay permanently. Hong Kong students graduating from Australia will have the opportunity to stay for five years and apply for a permanent residence permit after that time.
In addition, Hong Kong residents on a temporary work visa in Australia will also be eligible to extend the visa for five years. They are also allowed to apply for permanent residency after five years. Morrison said there are ten thousand Hong Kongers in Australia on student or temporary work visas.
Australia is also offering for international financial services, consulting and media business with regional headquarters in Hong Kong to move to Australia. Australia will offer incentive packages and visas to transfer those who wish to move.
"We want them to come to Australia to come, to set up shop," said acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge.
Australia changed its travel advice for Hong Kong, where about one hundred thousand Australians live and work. The Australian government said it "reconsidered staying in Hong Kong" if they cared about the new law.
Travel advice for Hong Kong also warned Australians could face an increased risk of detention for unclear national security reasons. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has previously held teleconferences with colleagues on the Five Eyes security arrangement, which includes the UK, US, New Zealand and Canada.
The five country representatives discussed Hong Kong and the National Security Law. The moment was uploaded by Payne and British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab on Twitter. Canada last week announced it would postpone an extradition treaty with Hong Kong after the National Security Act was enacted. The Canadian side says enacting the National Security Act could also increase immigration from Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's National Security Act punishes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign troops to a life sentence in prison. The new law has pushed Hong Kong onto a more authoritarian path.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
