The Australian government says it will offer around 10,000 Hong Kong passport holders currently living in Australia a chance to apply for permanent residence once their current visas expire.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison's government believes China’s imposition of a new tough national security law on the semi-autonomous territory means pro-democracy supporters may face political persecution.
“That means that many Hong Kong passport holders may be looking for other destinations to go to and hence why we have put forward our additional visa options for them,” Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge told Australian Broadcasting Corp. television on Sunday.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, July 9, 2020. Australia suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended visas for Hong Kong residents in response to China's imposition of a tough national security law on the semi-autonomous territory, the prime minister said. (Mick TsikasAAP Image via AP)
In order to obtain permanent residency, applicants would still have to pass "the character test, the national security test and the like,” Tudge said.
“So it’s not automatic. But it’s certainly an easier pathway to permanent residency and of course once you’re a permanent resident, there’s then a pathway to citizenship there," he said. “If people are genuinely persecuted and they can prove that case, then they can apply for one of our humanitarian visas in any case.”
Morrison announced last week Australia suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended visas for Hong Kong residents from two to five years.
The move comes after China bypassed Hong Kong’s Legislative Council to impose the sweeping security legislation without public consultation. Critics view it as a further deterioration of freedoms promised to the former British colony, in response to last year’s massive protests calling for greater democracy and more police accountability.
The national security law prohibits what Beijing views as secessionist, subversive or terrorist activities or as foreign intervention in Hong Kong affairs. Under the law, police now have sweeping powers to conduct searches without warrants and order internet service providers and platforms to remove messages deemed to be in violation of the legislation.
China's foreign ministry said it reserved the right to “take further actions” in response to moves by Canberra. “The consequences will be fully borne by Australia,” spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing on Thursday.
ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Jinichiro Kozuma birdied his first three holes in a bogey-free round of 9-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead Friday after the first round of the LIV Series golf tournament.
Starting on the 15th hole in the shotgun-style start, the Japanese player had seven birdies and an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole at The Grange, where last year's inaugural event featured one of the largest galleries of the year on the LIV series.
Local media reported 40,000 spectators attended Friday.
“Today my putting was really good, it was really hot,” Kozuma said. “I had some troubles here and there, but my putting was there to help me get through pars."
Carlos Ortiz and Danny Lee were tied for second with 64s, while four others were tied for fourth with 65s. The group included Jon Rahm, who has yet to win since joining LIV in December.
“Obviously on any kind of golf course, if you start the tournament with an 8-under round, it’s very good," Lee said. "There’s a lot of birdie holes out there. Whatever I was doing today and whatever Jinny (Kozuma) was doing today worked out pretty good.”
Ortiz said if the wind stays the way it is, coming after the rain leading into the tournament, “I think it definitely sets up the golf course pretty gettable, especially if you put it in the fairway.”
Series points leader Joaquin Niemann, who has two LIV titles this season, opened with a 67. Talor Gooch, who won the first of his three LIV titles last season at Adelaide, shot 68.
The LIV tour remains in the Asia region next week for the May 3-5 Singapore event at the Sentosa Golf Club. Then there's a month-long break before resuming in Houston from June 7-9.
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Captain Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC hits his shot from the 11th tee during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)
Captain Martin Kaymer of Cleeks GC hits his shot on the 18th hole during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)
Captain Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC hits a shot on the second hole during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Matthew Harris/LIV Golf via AP)
Captain Joaquín Niemann of Torque GC reacts during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP)
Captain Dustin Johnson of 4Aces GC is shown during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Matt Turner/LIV Golf via AP)
Jinichiro Kozuma of Iron Heads GC waits on the 18th hole during the practice round for LIV Golf Adelaide at the Grange Golf Club Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via AP)
