Gold Coast’s Palmer slams immigration policy

Chairman of Gold Coast United FC, Mr Clive Palmer, has condemned the immigration policies of the Australian Government as ‘racist’ after an entry visa was refused to an African football player who was planning to visit Australia and trial at Gold Coast United.

Mr Palmer said that artificial requirements placed on the issuing of visas were akin to the old requirements of the ‘white Australia policy’.

“The Australian Government issues visas, without the same requirements, to players coming from Europe and other white countries,” Mr Palmer said.

“In the case of Ghana, the senior migration officer has placed a requirement on all professional soccer players wishing to play for Australian clubs, that they obtain a letter from the Ghanaian Ministry of Youth & Sport providing permission for that player to visit Australia.

“Without the agreement of the Ghanaian Government, Australian visas for these players are being refused.

“This is a gross violation of the United Nations charter and the human rights of the players concerned when a non-democratic government is required to provide information about an individual and can veto the visa application of a soccer player to a free and democratic nation like Australia.

“Everybody needs to know that if a football player from Ghana shows enough potential to become a professional elsewhere, then the Ghanaian government may not approve their visa application.

“The Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration need to take immediate action to expunge these racist policies and conditions that are designed to block black Africans from coming to Australia.

“One would have thought that the ‘white Australia policy’ was dead and buried, but it seems that the Ghanaian High Commissioner and his office in Nairobi are seeking to resurrect it in conjunction with the Australian Immigration Minister.

“The coaches at our club are more than capable of providing the embassy with confirmation regarding the playing ability of these players and the fact that we want to enter into a professional contract with the player.

“Instead of accepting the judgement of Australians, these minions at the embassy would rather rely on what the Department of Youth & Sport in Ghana says.

“The behaviour of the Immigration Department in dealing with Ghanaian footballers is a national disgrace and the club is investigating the matter further so that the Australian Government can be brought to account.”