The Australian federal government has terminated an important visa scheme for Afghans nationals, including translators who supported the Australian military.
In the months following the Taliban’s invasion of Afghanistan in August 2021, more than 2,000 Afghan LEE holders and their families had visited Australia.
However, under the Taliban’s leadership, there are still unidentified Afghan translators trapped in the nation who risk severe vengeance.
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The Australian government will discontinue the locally engaged employee visa (LEE) programme in May 2024, with applications closing in November.
An independent study of the scheme recommended that decision, which found that neither the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade nor the Defence had adequate case management systems in place and cease visa scheme for Afghans nationals.
The findings revealed that the initiative required improved record-keeping, sporadic legal oversight, and sluggish departmental communication.
Dr. Kolomitz acknowledged that candidates could hurry to submit their applications because of the November deadline. He told SBS News, “There will be a lot of work in a short period of time.”
“But simply reading this [report]’s overall tone… The office of Senator [Penny] Wong, the foreign minister, and Home Affairs should be very cooperative.
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“I’m quietly confident that we’ll complete this task now.”
Australia has relocated 2500 Afghan workers and their families, including interpreters and consular officials, over the last 10 years.
Foreign minister Penny Wong criticized the previous administration for how it handled evacuations after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Since the fall of Kabul, Australia has granted more than 12,000 permanent humanitarian visas to nationals of Afghanistan.