CHRIS Hazzard, South Down Sinn Féin MLA, has written to Mr Peter Colliers Minister for Education in Western Australia calling on him to stop the surcharge for 457 Visa holders.
Mr. Hazzard stated: “Many people from South Down have moved to Australia in recent years and set up home.xa0 They face many challenges in building a new life and the surcharge of Aus$4000 to educate your child is a major financial obstacle for them to overcome.
“In a recent visit to Ireland, Mr Colliers attended seminars outlining what criteria was needed for people moving to Australia.xa0 Many people attending those seminars were under the impression that they would not be subjected to any additional taxes than an Australian citizen.
“I have wrote to Minister Colliers asking him to scrap this unfair tax and allow immigrants to Australia the same opportunity to have their children educated without charge as Australian citizens can,” added Mr Hazzard.
