11Acceptable reasons for failing to make a pledge of commitment (Act s 14B)

11 Acceptable reasons for failing to make a pledge of commitment (Act s 14B) (1) This regulation declares the acceptable reasons for section 14B of the Act. (2) For a person who fails to make a pledge of commitment within 12 months after the day on which the person was notified of a decision by the Minister to grant a certificate of Australian citizenship to the person (the relevant period), the acceptable reasons are as follows: (a) that: (i) the person was prevented from making a pledge within the relevant period by subsection 14C (4) of the Act because the Minister decided to defer the conferral of Australian citizenship on the person for a period of time (deferral period); and (A) the deferral period has not yet ended; or (B) the deferral period has ended, but the person has not yet had a reasonable period of time since the end of the deferral period in which to make a pledge; (b) that: (i) the person was unable to make a pledge within the relevant period, either in Australia or at an Australian mission overseas, because during that period, the person had to travel overseas: (A) for medical treatment that was not available in Australia; or (B) to care for a close relative who was critically ill; and (A) the person is still unable to make a pledge for the reason mentioned in subparagraph (i); or (B) the person is now able to make a pledge, but the person has not yet had a reasonable period of time in which to do so; (c) that: (i) the person was unable to make a pledge within the relevant period because of an administrative error or omission made by: (A) the Commonwealth, a State or Territory; or (B) an authority of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory; or (C) a local government authority; and (A) the error or omission has not been rectified; or (B) the error or omission has been rectified, but the person has not yet had a reasonable period of time in which to make a pledge. (3) A person claiming to have an acceptable reason of the kind mentioned in paragraph (2) (b) or (c) must give the Minister: (a) a signed statement in writing to support the claim that includes a description of any effort that the person made to make a pledge of commitment within the relevant period; and (b) written evidence that supports the statement. (4) For paragraph (2) (b): > close relative, in relation to a person, means: (a) the spouse of the person; or (b) a child, adopted child, parent, brother or sister of the person; or (c) a stepchild, stepmother, stepfather, stepbrother or stepsister of the person; or (d) a grandchild or grandparent of the person.