Kartia Snoek

After completing a Bachelor of Arts/Laws at the University of Melbourne, Kartia Snoek enrolled in a Masters by research at the university's School of Historical and Philosophical Studies. Her love of research lead her to convert this Masters into a PhD exploring legal interpretations of the 'Australian citizen'. This research examines the place and role of federal legislation like the Immigration Restriction Act 1901 (Cth), the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 (Cth) and the Invalid and Old-Age Pension Act 1908 (Cth) to argue that these acts assisted in the creation of a tiered system of citizenship, favouring white, usually British subjects over Aboriginal people and immigrants from Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. This system was bolstered through court and administrative decisions. Currently she is completing a research and publication internship at the Alfred Deakin Research Institute, at Deakin University, focusing on responses to Australia's refugee policies and the viability of refugee resettlement in regional Australia.