The "Australian Citizenship (Amendment) Act" 1984 removed the status of "British subject" from Australian citizenship law, with effect from 22 November 1984, and British subjects who had not acquired Australian citizenship came to be treated as non-citizen permanent residents. They were not entitled to an Australian passport, although existing passports held by non-citizens continued to be valid until each expired. They continued, and still continue, to have voting rights if they were on the electoral roll immediately before 26 January 1984.