Dramani and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (Citizenship)

This matter concerned an application for Australian citizenship by conferral, brought by the Applicant, Ms Dramani, seeking review of a delegate's decision to refuse her application. The delegate's refusal was based on a lack of satisfaction regarding the Applicant's good character, as required by section 21(2)(h) of the *Australian Citizenship Act 2007* (Cth), and her identity, as required by section 24(3) of the Act. The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) was therefore required to determine whether these criteria were met.

The Tribunal was tasked with assessing whether the Applicant met the good character and identity requirements for citizenship by conferral. Central to the good character assessment were inconsistencies in the Applicant's statements regarding her mother's status. While the Applicant had previously stated her mother was deceased on earlier visa applications, she later proposed her mother for a refugee visa. Crucially, on her citizenship application, she again stated her mother was deceased, despite knowing she was alive, admitting this was done to improve her chances of success.

The Tribunal found that the Applicant's deliberate misrepresentation of her mother's status on her citizenship application, motivated by a desire for a more favourable outcome, cast doubt on her character. The Tribunal emphasised the importance of honesty and the provision of accurate information in dealings with the Department, referencing the Citizenship Policy which requires good moral qualities throughout the citizenship process. Consequently, the Tribunal was not satisfied that the Applicant possessed the requisite good character under section 21(2)(h) of the Act. The Tribunal affirmed the delegate's decision to refuse the grant of citizenship.