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[Handwritten reference number:] 66/7143

[Underlined heading section:]

EMBARGO

For release after 6.p.m. Sunday 17 September 1967

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION,

THE HON B.M. SNEDDEN, Q.C., M.P.

[End underlined section.]

Accommodation guarantee requirements had been eased for the sponsors of unassisted non-British migrants, the Minister for Immigration, Mr. B.M. Snedden, said today.

The requirements would cover aged persons, families with young children and young children travelling unaccompanied.

Mr. Snedden said: “Now no accommodation guarantee at all will be required of a sponsor if evidence is produced tat the nominees will arrive in Australia with sufficient funds to be able to arrange their own accommodation.

"Where this evidence cannot be produced a guarantee still will be required of a sponsor but this will be in general terms and not related to any specific accommodation".

Such guarantees would be acceptable, of course, only from people who could reasonably be expected to be able to meet their responsibilities when the time came.

Previously any person seeking to sponsor an aged person, a family with young children or young children travelling unaccompanied had been required to:

[Begin dot-point list:]

Guarantee that suitable accommodation would be available for his nominees on their arrival.

Specify the actual accommodation.

Provide an opportunity for its inspection if requested.

Ensure reservation of that particular accommodation for the arrival of the sponsored migrants.

[End list.]

"The new arrangement did not mean any loss of effective control," Mr. Snedden said.

"It would be more realistic and convenient and should encourage a greater flow of nominations," he added.

[Dividing line]

Department of Immigration,

CANBERRA. [underlined] A.C.T.

17 September 1967.