'Safe haven' not guaranteed for Hong Kong visa holders

The Morrison government won't guarantee Hong Kong visa holders permanent residency in Australia, warning a special path to permanent resettlement won't be automatic.

Australia again incurred Beijing's anger last week as Prime Minister Scott Morrison offered a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for more than 12,000 Hong Kong residents in the wake of a new national security law imposed on the Chinese-controlled territory.

Hong Kong residents facing "genuine" persecution from Beijing under the laws introduced on July 1 would be able to apply for humanitarian protections in Australia, Mr Tudge said.

Some 1250 Hong Kong residents are in the queue after applying for a visa.

Under the new arrangements, current and future students from Hong Kong will be eligible for a five-year temporary graduate visa in Australia after concluding their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency after that.

Mr Tudge said he could not guarantee all Hong Kong residents would receive permanent residency in Australia.

The Morrison government won't guarantee Hong Kong visa holders permanent residency in Australia, warning a special path to permanent resettlement won't be automatic. .