Immigration officials are considering recommending the revocation of the Australian citizenship of a New Zealand man who failed to declare his extensive list of criminal convictions a decade ago.
A spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said the Australian citizen from New Zealand was sentenced today to a five-month jail term at the Mount Druitt Local Court in Sydney after pleading guilty to two charges of providing false information under the Citizenship Act 1948.
“He had failed to declare his extensive criminal history in an Australian citizenship application and as a result, consideration will now be given around advice to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, as to whether his Australian citizenship should be revoked,” the spokesman said.
“The department is committed to taking action against people who enter Australia under fraudulent circumstances or who fail to declare their criminal history in an attempt to remain in Australia and gain Australian citizenship.”
The department’s investigation began in response to a community allegation referring to a New Zealand citizen’s undeclared criminal convictions and identity.
DIAC successfully sought assistance from New Zealand and NSW Police to prove through fingerprint evidence that the man had a criminal history under another name.
The department now has in place arrangements to gain access to the New Zealand database to verify passport information presented by New Zealand citizens on entry to Australia.
“The defendant failed to declare his criminal history when he arrived in Australia or in his application for Australian citizenship,” the spokesman said.
”We encourage the community to provide information relating to immigration and citizenship offences and fraud.”
For matters relating to identity crime, migration and citizenship offences, people should contact the department’s dob-in line on 1800 009 623 or by visiting the department’s website at www.immi.gov.au.
Media Enquiries: National Communications Branch 02 8862 6261
