Hey they've really gone to new heights to be the sporting elite. Seems like you only have to be good at sport (tennis or speed skating)with a chance of a gold medal for the Green & Gold and Hey Presto ..... U get citizenship. Funny that!!!!!! What a mockery!!!! Don't care how its dressed up!!

Don't see the issue. If you are world class in your field, albeit sports, why shouldn't we want you ?

Besides, not exactly a new idea : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zola_Budd

There obviously is an 'issue' otherwise it wouldn't have made the televised news, broad sheets press etc ... Whatever the country that perpetrates (Oz or UK) If your the best at what you do compete for the country of your birth and compete with pride. Don't sell yourself for a visa .... and .... don't embrace the ideal by giving a visa just for a few more golds on the tally board. Pathetic and I say again ... Makes a bloody mockery

I'd rather the likes of a top sportsman/woman got citizenship than the likes of Leo Sayer or numerous other questionable celebrities.

I agree with cypry. The country grants visas to people who want to live in Australia and contribute to its society - the citizenship requirement is a long term demonstration of both those things. I've no problem with visa grants being expidited, but if the holder is genuinely interested in making a long term commitment then the citizenship requirement shouldn't be too onerous - these new rules require someone to spend only 6 months in Australia before being eligible for citizenship!

That's all well and good but how many people on here, stay long enough to get Citizenship and then head back to the UK because they don't want to live in Aus any longer but want the passport 'just in case' ? It's easy for 'normal' migrants to get citizenship, I don't see a problem with someone who wants to (and who is wanted to) be an ambassador for a specific country.

If we as a country want to attract top level elite athletes then the price may well be expedited citizenship. After all, what good would be PR athlete be who can then not represent us in games.

As to whether or not its ethical for the athlete to do this is a more complicated situation. The reasons for a sports person to consider ditching his/her homeland must surely be compelling in most instances. It is a bold step as most of us here all know.

There is also the small irony of British Expats being critical of an athletes desire to become a citizen of a country other than that of their birth. Not meant as a dig, I just found it humorous in passing.

Oh come on I can hear the conversation ringing in my ears ..... "Hey, I'm good at speedskating, tennis, running", or whatever, "If you give me citizenship I'll give you gold". ..... "Right", says DIMA, "we'll tweek the rules, and in ya come cobber"!

I bet Stuart Broad and Freddie Flintoff could get honurary citizenship in time for the next Ashes series if they tried!!!!

No dig taken, but I see it in black and white, and lets be honest there is a smell to the whole business and it just don't sit right!!

im good a spitting 400 metres, heard they going to add that to 2012. does that mean i get to be ozzy

oooooooo.......... think i should get practicing my synchronized swimming.........anyone like to join me, think a team mate is a pre-requisite?

It only was legally possible for Zola as she was under 18 at the time, also her father was British (by descent).

The rules you get in by as an immigrant smell too. Speak English x points, good education x points, experience in desired job x points. The whole process is geared to importing needed skills, talents - or bringing in people with money and/or the ability to create jobs.

This amendment is aimed at professional athletes, airline pilots and other specialty professions who travel a lot.

These groups found it a lot tougher than normal people to get Australian Citizenship because of the restricted ability to leave Australia before applying for citizenship. They all have to travel overseas regularly so many were having to wait until they retire until they could get citizenship. This amendment deals with that and retains people Australia wants - win, win - gold for Australia all round - great law change!!!!.

I think to say that all they have to do is say they can do something will give them carte blanche to a passport is daft (not even vaguely amusing, if that was the intention). The athletes in question have already got PR, and have shown their commitment to the country. As has been said, because of the touring life, it's nigh on impossible to get the time in. It's not going to make an ounce of difference to anyone else. I honestly don't see a problem but then it doesn't involve me in any way.

And your reference for this is ... ?

That's not the law right now, except for under 18s.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...013449,00.html