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Certificate of Registration of Alien issued to Heinz Lippmann

Date26 August 1940
Object numberANMS0220[001]
NameCertificate
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Heinz Lippmann
DescriptionA 'Certificate of Registration of Alien' issued to Heinz Lippmann issued by the Commonwealth of Australia, National Security (Aliens Control) Regulations. The certificate, numbered 40111, was issued 'For alien resident in Australia and for alien pasenger entering Australia in oversea vessel or aircraft'. Heinz 'Henry' Lippman arrived in Australia from England aboard HMT DUNERA. As a Jewish refugee from Berlin, he and the other passengers were initially interned in a camp at Hay and later at Orange in New South Wales. He was then moved toTatura in Victoria.HistoryThe threat posed by world war during the 20th century twice caused the Australian Government to require all 'aliens' (ie non-British subjects/foreign nationals living in Australia) to register with local authorities. Registration was required between 1916 and 1926, and again between 1939 and 1971. Additional changes to the national Security Act, No.15, invoked on 9 September 1939 (amended 21 June 1940) gave the Australian Government the right to prescribe 'any action to be taken - by or with respect - to alien enemies, or persons having enemy associations or connections'. Being registered as an alien came with restrictions and rules as outlined on th back oft he certificate: " Acquiring Place of Abode - An alien who arrives in Australia from overseas and who acquires a place of abode must, within seven days after so acquiring a place of abode, give notice thereof, in the prescribed form, to the Aliens Registration Officer at the Police Station nearest to his place of abode. Change of Abode - An alien, before changing his place of abode, is required to give notice in the prescribed form to the Aliens Registration Officer at the Police Station nearest to his place of abode, of the date on which he intends to change abode, and of his intended new place of abode. He is also required, within seven days after acquiring his new place of abode, to attend in person before the Aliens Registration Officer at the Police Station nearest to his new place of abode and to bring with him his Certificate of Registration. If an alien does not change his place of abode in accordance with the particulars stated in the notice furnished by him, he must forthwith inform the officer of the cancellation of his intended change of abode, or of any alteration in the intended date of his change of abode, or in his intended new place of residence, as the case may be. Change of Name - An alien may not change his name unless he has, in accordance with the Regulations, previously notified his intention so to do to the Aliens Registration Officer at the Police Station nearest to his place of abode. NOTE.—Failure to observe the above mentioned requirements renders an alien liable to a penalty of £100 or six months imprisonment."SignificanceThis certificate is part of a collection of personal papers belonging to Heinz Lippmann that provide an insight into an important episode in the history of Australian migration this century.
They are primary sources in the DUNERA case in which the ship, HMT DUNERA, transported German and Austrian Jewish refugees from England to Australia in 1940. On arrival in Australia these men were interned in a camp at Hay and later at Orange in New South Wales. Lippmann was then moved toTatura in Victoria.