Brett Robson wrote:
> On Thu, 11 Mar 2004 02:16:10 -0000, mr.sumo.snr  ...
> 
>><mtfester@netMAPSONscape.net> wrote in message
>>news:c2n8gg$kc2$1@news.Stanford.EDU...
>>
>>>Haluk Skywalker <yok.oole.biri@spam.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>>"Declan Murphy" <declan_murphy@hotmail.com>, iletide sunu yazdi
>>>
>>>>There is no such thing as dual nationality in Japan. Kid is either
>>
>>Japanese
>>
>>>There is indeed. They have until they reach 18 to choose one over the
>>>other, but until then they can, indeed, be dual citizens. In fact, they
>>>can be dual citizens after that, but you have to circumvent the rules
>>>a bit.
>>
>>I thought it was at 20 years old that quasi dual nationality individuals had
>>to choose.  In other words at the age in Japan that one reaches adulthood.
>>
>>BTW of the 8 offspring of American, Australian and British fathers that I
>>know who are now adults - in the Japanese sense of the word - all of them
>>still have their 'other' passports.  It's not very surprising really - all
>>three of those countries have absolutely no problem with their citizens or
>>subjects maintaining dual nationality status - it's a Japanese 'thing' that
>>you have to make a choice.
> 
> Australia does not recognize dual citizenship but turns a blind eye in most
> cases. If you become an Australian ctizen you have to show the old cancelled
> passport but many countries (eg UK) will issue a replacement passport
> immediately. Many countries such as Greece still recognise you as Greek even if
> you weren't born there and claim you as a citizen but Australia ignores this. If
> you actively pursue the citizenship of another country you are expected to give
> up your Australian citizenship, obviously this is hard to enforce. There is talk
> of changing this but I don't think it has happened yet.

All of the above changed with effect from 4th April 2002 following the 
repeal of Section 17 of the Australian Citizenship Act of 1948. In other 
words any expat strayan can *actively* acquire another citizenship 
without forfeiting their Australian citizenship under Australian law.

Where a lot of people get screwed though, is if they actively acquired 
another citizenship before 4 April 2002. As in parliament's wont, the 
repeal was not made retrospective, so the said expats (mostly living in 
sepponia apparently) do not automatically regain their forfeited 
Australian citizenship (at least not without having to jump through 
hoops). What that means is that children born to a "Aussie" couple 
overseas, where neither (parent) is "Australian" at the time the child 
is born, often cannot be registered as Australian citizens by descent 
(until said hoops are jumped through).

-- 
"Oh don't give me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ No, don't you give 
me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ For my head will fly, my tongue 
will lie, my eyes will fry and I may die/ Won't you pour me one more of 
that sinful Old Janx Spirit"