The Immigration minister has defended granting a further temporary visa to Melbourne man, Robert Jovicic saying he is not stateless.
Mr Jovicic, who has lived in Australia since he was two, was deported to Serbia in June 2004, on character grounds after a series of thefts and drug offences.
He was allowed to return to Australia on compassionate grounds last month, after declaring he was stateless.
Mr Jovicic has been granted a second special purpose visa today, which allows him to stay in Australia until the 5th of October.
Senator Amanda Vanstone, says Mr Jovicic should apply for Serbian citizenship and have the matter resolved.
"We've repeatedly encouraged him to apply for serbian citizenship to show his good faith.
He has refused to do so. There's no reason for him not to settle the matter of his Serbian citizenship status.
I'm looking forward to Mr Jovicic demonstrating to me and the wider community that he is able to change his patterns behaviour that led to the initial decision to cancel his visa."
Mr Jovicic's lawyer Michaela Byers says her client will not apply for Serbian citizenship.