Immigration As prime minister, Holt continued the liberalisation of immigration law that he had begun as Minister for Immigration. When he came to office, what remained of the White Australia policy was upheld by ministerial decree rather than by explicit legislation. In March 1966, the residency requirement for naturalisation was changed to a uniform five years; it had previously been 15 years for non-whites. Discriminatory provisions relating to family reunification were also removed."New migration policy will aid Japanese", The Canberra Times, 11 March 1966. Retrieved 3 December 2017. As a result, in the two years after March 1966 around 3,000 Asian immigrants were granted Australian citizenship,Frame (2005), p. 160. compared with 4,100 in the preceding two decades."Sir Robert rejected migrant plan", The Canberra Times, 22 February 1966. Retrieved 3 December 2017. Additionally, Immigration Minister Hubert Opperman announced that potential immigrants to Australia would be assessed solely "on the basis of their suitability as settlers, their ability to integrate readily, and their possession of qualifications which are in fact positively useful to Australia";White Australia policy – the beginning of the end 50 years ago, Museum of Australian Democracy, 9 March 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2017. non-whites had previously had to demonstrate that they were "highly qualified and distinguished" to gain entry.
immigration as prime minister holt continued the liberalisation of immigration law that he had begun as minister for immigration when he came to office what remained of the white australia policy was upheld by ministerial decree rather than by explicit legislation in march 1966 the residency requirement for naturalisation was changed to a uniform five years; it had previously been 15 years for non-whites discriminatory provisions relating to family reunification were also removed"new migration policy will aid japanese" the canberra times 11 march 1966 retrieved 3 december 2017 as a result in the two years after march 1966 around 3000 asian immigrants were granted australian citizenshipframe (2005) p 160 compared with 4100 in the preceding two decades"sir robert rejected migrant plan" the canberra times 22 february 1966 retrieved 3 december 2017 additionally immigration minister hubert opperman announced that potential immigrants to australia would be assessed solely "on the basis of their suitability as settlers their ability to integrate readily and their possession of qualifications which are in fact positively useful to australia";white australia policy – the beginning of the end 50 years ago museum of australian democracy 9 march 2016 retrieved 3 december 2017 non-whites had previously had to demonstrate that they were "highly qualified and distinguished" to gain entry