Stewart Administrative and Migration Lawyers

03/04/2024

Former US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said that “real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time”.

Today, 4 members of the same family who fled their home country in fear of their life, were granted protection visas to live safely in Australia. They had no protection and no safety in the place they were born, because as women, they “belonged” to their husbands, fathers, brothers and all other male relatives.

It has taken a very long time, but after more than 5 years of waiting, they can now move on with the rest of their lives in freedom and safety. Today is their step towards real and enduring change.

20/12/2023

Our office is now closed until 3 January 2024, for the Christmas vacation. Emails will still be checked throughout this time, and responses provided as soon as practicable.

However you choose to celebrate, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a safe and happy new year.

22/11/2023

Thank you so much to the Voice of the Outer South East for inviting me to speak at your AGM this week. Suburban and regional migration may not be considered important by the government, but our communities’ needs and our families lives most definitely are worthy of support.

08/10/2023

Today we are celebrating 5 years of practice!

It has been an absolute honour and a privilege to be able to work with and to help so many people throughout this time, and I look forward to continuing to do so for many years to come. Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your journey.

And of course, in true “working mum” style, I have one unwell child in the office with me today … and her favourite stuffy. Stitch is no help with photocopying or answering the phone, and his file noting could also use some work!

18/09/2023

Consider this case your friendly reminder to check the content, tone, and grammar of all correspondence that bears your name and signature!

https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VSC/2023/544.html?fbclid=IwAR0xbjpHtU2QDQZUrDeSe_9BCtFSJVXpjjXaePMTEWaAKuGMt0J4CzA_lLY_aem_AU0dftrgkI9bI5JUQD-7XuOUVz6hFp1p5sN2hMgGWGzFe0PYeVwlLRaPZUFSJqZImBg

11/09/2023

What do they call democracy sausages at a referendum?

This sounds like the start of a bad joke, but I’d actually like to know the answer if anyone’s got one!

On 14 October 2023 the nation will vote in a referendum. This will be the 45th referendum since Federation – the declaration in 1901 of Australia as a single nation, instead of a bunch of British colonies co-existing wit...

01/09/2023

The Australian Government has just announced the closure of the subclass 408 Pandemic Event (Covid-19) visa.

What it means is that:

- from 2 September 2023, applications for this visa will only be possible if you already hold a subclass 408 Pandemic Event visa; and
- it will be valid for 6 months from grant (previously it was 12); and
- there is a $405 application fee (it was previously free to apply).

From February 2024, this visa will be classed to all applicants. If you hold a Pandemic Event visa after that time you can remain lawfully in Australia until that visa expires.

More information can be found at the Department’s website:

Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Emergency Management.​​​

04/08/2023

There are 54 rights outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Save the Children, now called 54 reasons, works to ensure those rights are understood and upheld, and I was honoured to be invited by 54 Reasons to speak about immigration and human rights issues at the Moe Multicultural Friendship Group today.

It was particularly special for me because, 15-plus years before I was born, my grandparents volunteered with Save the Children. At one point, my grandfather was President of the organisation’s Victorian chapter.

16/06/2023

Thank you to all the principals, librarians, teachers and administrative staff who welcomed me this week as I delivered copies of “Mahtab’s Story” to schools across West Gippsland, in recognition of .

It’s not about agendas or politics - it’s about supporting our local schools as they teach , and .

31/05/2023

Refugee Week is fast approaching and that means that some local schools will soon receive a copy of Mahtab’s Story for their library.

Stewart Administrative and Migration Lawyers donates a refugee-focussed book to schools across West Gippsland each year, as a way to give back to the community as well as increasing awareness about refugees and the world we live in.

The theme for Refugee Week 2023 is “Finding Freedom”. For information about how you, your school or organisation can be involved, go to www.refugeeweek.org.au.

28/05/2023

Would you trust AI to undertake your legal research? Should you?

One lawyer in New York thought he was adding additional value by utilising Chat GPT to research his case for him, but accidentally cited fake case law instead!

https://simonwillison.net/2023/May/27/lawyer-chatgpt/?fbclid=IwAR3xI-4RFuUIb1szbNSKIUfggcIx4BZ84TB_7KQMrhi0e0nR3UUtznjzSIU

Legal Twitter is having tremendous fun right now reviewing the latest documents from the case Mata v. Avianca, Inc. (1:22-cv-01461). Here’s a neat summary: So, wait. They file a brief …

28/03/2023

Warning: don’t do this!!

This popped up in my Linked In feed this morning. It seems simple enough, but it’s actually illegal. If you are a visa applicant you are not allowed to pay your employer’s sponsorship, advertising, nomination, or legal / RMA costs. If you do, your employer’s application will be refused (or cancelled) and so will your visa.

It’s a specific question on the Department’s application forms. You will be found out. It’s not worth the risk.