WIVES and husbands of Australian citizens will have to queue for spouse visas in order to live Down Under, or face indefinite separation, under tough new measures confirmed in Canberra.
The move will affect thousands of families in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia who intend to emigrate to Australia, forcing many to live apart.
Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock has warned he will 'cap and kill' applications by spouses to join their partners in Australia unless the opposition Labor Party allows the Government's 'cap and queue' proposal through the Senate.
The 'cap and queue' system means spouses applying after an annual quota has been filled will be given preferential places in the following year's intake.
The harsher 'cap and kill' system would force those spouses to make fresh applications each year on equal terms with new applicants, causing indefinite separations.
Australia currently grants entry to all spouses who meet eligibility requirements, regardless of the quota.