A Wyndham councillor has attracted the ire of residents for taking a stand against the federal government’s proposed citizenship changes.
Josh Gilligan has called on the council to voice its opposition to the federal government’s plan to make migrants living in Australia on a permanent residency visa wait four years before they can apply for citizenship.
Currently, migrants face a one-year wait.
Cr Gilligan wants the council to write to the prime minister, the federal immigration minister and Lalor MP Joanne Ryan in a formal opposition to the proposed changes.
However, when the councillor shared his intentions on Facebook last week, many residents questioned why he was publicising a federal government issue.
Lesley wrote: “I hope council spends as much time and expense on council issues as they do on federal issues”, and Shawn added: “please stick to the 3Rs … rates, rubbish and roads”.
Cr Gilligan will present the notice of motion at tonight’s council meeting.
He said the proposed changes could have a profound impact on Wyndham if brought in, saying about 10 per cent of Wyndham residents were migrants.
He cited a Wyndham Vale couple who recently had a baby girl and said under the proposed changes, the father – who is from the Middle East – would have to wait until 2020 to become an Australian citizen.
“They pay their taxes, they obey the rule of law and they contribute to society like everyone else.
“There is no logical reason why the government should create a two class social divide in their household.
“We must send a strong message that we too agree that the lack of retrospective consideration given is grossly unjust.”
