FTA Critic Told To "Get A Visa" To Go To Australia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
16 November 2010
On Sunday evening (14 November), Professor Jane Kelsey was detained at immigration at Sydney airport for about an hour
at the beginning of a tour to launch a new book on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. She was informed by a senior
immigration official that she was not eligible for visa free entry to Australia on the grounds that she was not an
‘appropriate person’ under Australia’s 1994 immigration laws.
While eventually allowed to enter Australia on this occasion, Professor Kelsey was told she would need to apply formally
for a visa for any future visits, and was advised to seek a waiver from the Australian High Commissioner.
The official relied on a Springbok tour conviction from the early 1980s, which he claimed had attracted a suspended
prison sentence of one year and nine months. Despite claims by the official that ‘appropriate checks have been made’, no
such sentence was ever imposed on Professor Kelsey or the others involved in the case. Indeed, the Court of Appeal
overturned a binding-over order that would have prevented those involves from engaging in further political protest.
Former Green MP Sue Bradford, who was also involved in the case, has confirmed that she has never had similar problems
entering Australia.
Professor Kelsey describes this development as ‘totally bizarre’.
‘I am a constant visitor to Australia for professional and personal reasons – at least eight times in the past two
years, including just one month ago for an academic conference on trade.’
‘I always tick the box about criminal convictions, which relate to the Springbok tour and Bastion Point in the early
1980s. They have the list on record at Australian immigration. Usually I wait 10 or at most 15 minutes and they wave me
on. This twist came completely out of the blue.’
Professor Kelsey has expressed her concern to the Australian High Commissioner and sought clarification of her
immigration status under Australian law, including whether she will be required to seek visa for future entry to
Australia.
‘It is possible it is an ill-judged over-reach by super-officious immigration officials at Sydney.‘
‘However it is equally likely that my name has recently been flagged, presumably linked to my role in promoting critical
debate on the TransPacific Partnership negotiations. Requiring me to apply for a visa each time I go to Australia would
make it easier to monitor and restrict my movements. At the very least sends an intimidating message to me and to
others.’
Last year Professor Kelsey raised concerns over the apparent surveillance by the SIS of her activities as a critic of
neoliberalism and free trade agreements, which she argues are actually investor-rights agreements that impose severe
constraints on New Zealand’s future policy choices and sovereignty.
‘This latest development seems to confirm that promoting informed and democratic debate on these secretly negotiated
agreements is deemed a threat to national security. Everyone should be worried about the implications for academic
freedom and informed debate in a democracy.’
- Press release from Professor Jane Kelsey.
ENDS