September 18, 2013

Tony Abbott was sworn in as Australia’s prime minister today. Earlier this month, Abbott, the leader of the Liberal Party, defeated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the leader of the Australian Labor Party, in federal elections. (Contrary to its name, the Liberal Party is a center-right political party.)  In remarks released before the swearing-in ceremony, Abbott said, “Today is not just a ceremonial day. The Australian people expect us to get straight down to business and that’s exactly what this government will do.”

Tony Abbott (The Office of Tony Abbott MHR)

Abbott ran on a platform that included promises to repeal Australia’s controversial carbon tax; end illegal immigrants entering the country; and place the national budget on a sound footing for a “believable surplus.” Abbott said the repeal of the carbon tax, which he argued had boosted energy taxes and cost jobs, would become his first legislative effort. To replace the tax, he plans to offer government subsidies to businesses and farmers to lower their carbon emissions. The new government also plans to eliminate the position of science minister, two government agencies that dealt with climate change, and a program that offers government loans for the development of “green” technologies.

Abbott’s government also plans to “stop the boats”–that is, impose strong measures to prevent people seeking asylum from entering Australia from Indonesia. Among these measures are plans to force vessels carrying refugees to return to Indonesia when safe to do so and allow asylum seekers already in Australia to obtain only temporary visas that must be regularly renewed.

Political observers noted that Abbott may face difficulties in getting his legislative program enacted by Parliament. Although his coalition won a majority of seats in Australia’s lower house, the control of the Senate remains uncertain as vote counting continues. If the Liberals’ total falls short, Abbott will be forced to work with other parties to pass legislation.

Additional World Book articles:

• Australia 2010 (a Back in Time article)
• Australia 2012 (a Back in Time article)

June 28, 2013

The United States Senate yesterday passed a major overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws with broad bipartisan support. The vote was 68-to-32, with 14 Republicans joining the entire Democratic caucus voting in favor.

The legislation provides a 13-year path to citizenship for the nation’s estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants. It also includes tough border security provisions that must be realized before the immigrants can gain legal status. These provisions require the addition of 20,000 more border agents; 700 miles (1,125 kilometers) of fence along the boundary with Mexico; and the deployment of $3.2 billion in technology upgrades along the border.

United States Border Patrol members ride all-terrain vehicles near El Paso, Texas, along the border with Mexico, looking for signs of illegal immigration and other crimes. Juarez, Mexico, rises in the background. (© Jim Young, Reuters/Landov)

Political experts suggest that the legislation will meet with major opposition in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. House Speaker John Boehner has stated that whatever immigration measure his chamber takes up would have to be supported by a majority of his Republican conference. The so-called Tea Party members of the House have voiced their opposition to any road to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants.

Additional World Book articles:

• Immigration and Customs Service, United States
• Immigration and Naturalization Service
• Immigration: The Latest Wave (a special report)
• Immigration Politics (a special report)
• Tempest in a Tea Party (a special report)

The administration of President Barack Obama announces that federal officials will review separately all 300,000 cases of illegal immigrants currently threatened with deportation. Deportation is is the action a government takes when it forces an alien to leave the country and return to the place where the alien was born or had lived. According to Janet Napolitano, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, deportation cases will be ranked based on security risk. Individuals who have not committed crimes and who are not considered a threat to public safety may be allowed to stay in the United States. Federal official are to take into account whether immigrants are married to U.S. citizens and their contributions to the community.

The new policy is expected to help thousands of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as young children and want to stay to attend college or serve in the armed forces. Critics labeled the policy change a “blanket amnesty” for large numbers of illegal immigrants. (Amnesty is forgiveness by a government for crimes against it).

Additional World Book articles:

• Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States
• Immigration and Naturalization Service
• Immigration Politics 2006 (special report)
• Passport to Reform: The INS and Homeland Security (special report)