#letusout

The Federal Government should lift the exemption rule for leaving the Australia 

What is this ‘Exemption Rule for leaving the country’?

• When coronavirus cases surged last year, the Federal Government barred citizens and permanent residents from leaving the country. 
• Currently, a person can only fly out of Australia if they have successfully applied for an exemption from the Federal Government on compassionate grounds or other compelling need to travel and return. 
• The idea of a blanket prohibition on people leaving the country is based on the Biosecurity Act. On 17 June 2021 the Biosecurity Act is again extended for another three months.

Why is this exemption rule considered as inhuman and disproportional

• This ban on citizens travelling out of Australia is thought to infringe on the fundamental rights of Australians and permanent residents.
• Australia prohibits people to leave Australia without approval, even when they have a foreign passport and are urged to return to their country of origin.  
• Many Australians and permanent residents have close family abroad and are experiencing these harsh rules when family members get ill or need help and support in another way.
• Even when people are allowed to leave the country, it often takes too long to get the exemption. The decision comes too late, often after several requests have been made. By the time an exemption is granted, the situation may have worsened and family members have passed away causing significant distress and depression. 
• The maintenance of close ties with family overseas is an important part of life that appears to be hugely underestimated by the Government. As a result, still seeing no improvement or easing, many permanent residents and expats are reconsidering settlement in Australia. Larger groups of immigrants leaving this country could have huge consequences for the Australian economy.

What do we ask the Federal Government:

1. Lift the exemption rule for leaving the country.
2. Alternatively:

• Lift the exemption rule for the fully vaccinated.
• Provide response to request within 24 hours due to personal circumstances often involving sick or dying relatives.  
• Avoid the need to submit a request for an exemption more than once. 
• Provide categories for exemption requests to highlight priority requests.

Help us to force the government to lift this unreasonable exemption rule by signing this petition. And please, help us spreading the awareness by sharing the hashtag #letusout