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'You've got no choice': The $1,475 fee leaving some in Australia feeling 'captive' (www.sbs.com.au)
submitted 1 month ago by to c/australia@aussie.zone
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[–] 10 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 child)
  • Australia allows dual citizenship
  • Republic of Korea requires you to relinquish your Korean citizenship if you become a citizen of another country
  • Girl with 'no options' chooses to keep her Republic of Korea citizenship
  • Australia imposes visa fees that apply to non-citizens of Australia
  • You suggest Australian's that are born here, or choose to become citizens here, pay more to make it fair

Walk me through this logic? Why should people that choose to join (or are born in) Australian citizenry pay more to make it fair for a limitation of RoK citizenship?

Let's discuss whether the visa fee is too high, for sure. But suggesting a penalty for Australian citizens to "not discriminate" against someone that has chosen not to become a citizen is absolutely ludicrous to me.

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  • [–] 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

    It's a horrible charge, nothing but a discriminatory money grab. So grab money from everyone, then at least it's not discriminatory.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 child)

    I initially thought you meant discrimination between rich and poor, but "grab money from everyone" still discriminates against people that can't afford the visa/passport.

    Citizens have rights and eligibilities that non-citizens don't. That's not discrimination that needs to be addressed; it's national sovereignty. Non-citizens aren't eligible for HECS, aren't eligible to vote, aren't eligible for a passport, and aren't eligible for federal jobs. Non-citizens aren't eligible for these because they are not Australian.

    Live here and choose to become an Australian, or live here and choose to not become an Australian. Choose the latter and you'll need a visa.

    For the record; I think the Returning Resident visa fee is exorbitant. I also think the suggestion that Australians should pay more so it's fair for non-Australians is ridiculous.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago

    Regarding the "rich and poor", international travel is generally beyond the means of the poor anyway, depending on where you draw the line. I'd rather see high fees on stuff like passports and have public dental care and other essentials funded.

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