Australian citizenship law implications explained

Maltese with Australian connections yesterday attended a meeting on the implications of a new Australian citizenship law at the Emigrants' Commission, in Valletta.

New Australian legislation will make it possible for Maltese who previously had to renounce their Australian citizenship to reapply. The move affects about 2,000 people.

The new law also permits the children of these Maltese to apply for Australian citizenship though they must be under 18 and born after their parent or parents had renounced their Australian citizenship.

Changes to the Citizenship Act also include raising the age limit for registering as an Australian citizen by descent from 18 to 25 if the person was born to an Australian parent overseas.

The provisions also allow those who had renounced their Australian citizenship when they were 18 to resume it before their 25th birthday.