Liana Allan, the Convenor of Migration Alliance, attended a small ceremony and morning tea today at 10am, at the AAT. The celebration was held at the Sydney AAT which is located at Level 6, 83 Clarence Street, Sydney to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The event marks the 40th anniversary since the opening of the Tribunal and the 1st anniversary of the Tribunal’s amalgamation with the Migration Review Tribunal, the Refugee Review Tribunal and the Social Security Appeals Tribunal.

This event was an opportunity to reflect on the unique contribution of the AAT in Australia’s justice system and to acknowledge those who have been integral in the successful implementation of the amalgamation to date. Sir Gerard Brennan KBE QC, the AAT’s first President was in attendance and gave a speech. There was also an opportunity to tour the Tribunal’s new Sydney Registry.

I was speaking to the moderator for MA and was told that there are masses of trolls lurking under virtual bridges out there just busting their guts to participate in some trollageddon where they can let it all hang out.

I have asked the moderator is refer all trolls to Troll Corner so that we can all enjoy what spews from them as commentary.

Calling all trolls...earth to trolls, wakey wakey.....

For those readers who wish to know more about the joint Fairfax Media/ABC investigation into allegations concerning "pay for visa" schemes, here is a link to a follow up story that appeared in this morning's newspapers:

http://www.theage.com.au/national/visa-scammer-captured-in-hidden-camera-sting-20160627-gpsrpg.html

The article includes "undercover video" that was also broadcast yesterday evening on the ABC's 7:30 report which shows an alleged "fixer" claiming talking about creating phantom sponsorships for potential visa applicants, with the cost for such an arrangement from India being said to be $50,000.

Suppose you are contacted by a potential client who seeks your help. 

The client has become an unlawful non-citizen due to the fact that his substantive visa has ceased, and he holds no bridging visa. 

Would a Medical Treatment (Visitor) visa be a possible option for enabling the client to restore lawful status? 

This is the case of a 457 nomination application for the position of Real Estate Agent at an Australian Real Estate Agency.

The Registered Migration Agent representing the company has repeatedly been asked by the case officer to provide 'genuineness' evidence for the position.

The first issue here is that the evidence being requested has already been provided by the Registered Migration Agent.

What is worse though, is the lack of professionalism shown in the request letter from the DIBP case officer.

The letter literally doesn't make sense in parts.