Promoting deadwood, limiting openness, discouraging new thinking and probably the worst thing, undermining members trust: did the MIA National Board, consider any of these when they decided to put to the vote the changes to its Constitution to remove the 2 year term limits for the tenure of MIA Directors?

They must have, and figured that given how comfortably their Directors get re-elected each time, they would also have this easily passed. They seemed to have confused their members’ patience with apathy and are undoubtedly hoping to achieve a coup for the incumbents so that they can boast the title “MIA Director” for potentially a lifetime, without ever achieving anything much for their members.

However, the reaction in some quarters to this selfish move has been swift with the resignation of MIA’s Qld/NT committee member, Sharon Harris. In a selfless open letter which would not have reached RMAs if it wasn’t for the open nature of the Migration Alliance forum, Ms Harris outlined her concerns and objections.

“In 2010 whilst I was a Director on the MIA Board, there was some criticism from members of the Board which included:  they sat on Board for their self-interest; did not represent ALL members; were committee 'junkies' and there for the kudos; did not share information with members, was a 'closed shop',“ wrote Ms Harris adding, “I cannot support unlimited tenures for directors of MIA Board - remember they are elected by us and are there to best serve our interests.”

Other dual members of the MIA and Migration Alliance are offering to volunteer their time and resources to attend the MIA’s EGM on 18 February 2015 to vote ‘No’ against the motion. Liana Allan and Christopher Levingston along with John Hourigan are taking up the main fight for a 'no' vote.

With over 4000 RMA members, Migration Alliance has a huge number of dual members.  Migration Alliance represents the majority of the RMA profession.  This means that Liana Allan could effectively collect proxies to control the outcome of the MIA's motion.

Migration Alliance is hosting a networking event to allow you to 'unlock the power of positive and proactive networking'. All attendees will receive a copy of The Professional Migration Agent: Best Practices for Registered Migration Agents. This is a new and inspirational e-book dedicated to the migration agent profession by the founder of Migration Alliance, Liana Allan.

Come and have some fun with your colleagues. Join in the trivia quiz on unlucky superstitions.

When: Friday 13th February 2015

Where: The Angel Hotel, 125 Pitt St Sydney

What time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

What to wear: Something black or freaky

Cost: $50 per head for canapés and drinks

Proposed menu: 

- spiced lamb samosa
- tomato, black olive and basil crostini (v)
- mexican prawn and lime salad on corn chips (gf)
- vegetarian spring roll (v)
- green pea and mint risotto balls (v)
- tandoori chicken drummer and cucumber raita (gf)
- pumpkin and goats cheese ravioli with fresh tomato and parmesan (v)
* (v) - vegetarian (gf) - gluten free

Places are limited so get in early and pay now to secure your place at this premium networking event.

To register, please download the registration form below and return toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Click to download event Registration Form

We hope you can make it and look forward to seeing you there.

I would be happy to accept any proxies for the MIA EGM.  I am against the entrenchment of board members and encourage joint members of the MIA-MA to vote no.

Anyone wishing to appoint me as their proxy should send their proxy form to me, Christopher Levingston, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Proxy form: APPOINTMENT_OF_PROXY_FORM.pdf

Liana Allan, RMA, Founder of Migration Alliance and a trustworthy advocate for all RMAs, has volunteered her time and resources to attend the MIA's EGM on the 18 February 2015 at 5:15pm to vote in 'no / against' the motion which will, if passed, allow 2 term limits for MIA Directors to be removed.  This would allow MIA's Directors to remain on the board forever.

Joint members of the MIA and MA have spoken.  It must be stopped.

Liana Allan originally set up Migration Alliance to protect and promote the interests of Registered Migration Agents and the RMA profession.  In effect, Migration Alliance has been set up as a counter-balance to the MIA.  Right now, Migration Alliance is going to come in very handy for MIA members who are not happy with the motion set out above. 

John Hourigan has authorised this information for release and publication by MA.

John is attending the MIA's EGM at his own cost to assist Members who are unable to attend.

“Mr John Hourigan, Secretary of the ACT Chapter, will be attending the EGM and will vote AGAINST the motion.   He has agreed to be appointed proxy by all members wishing to cast a vote. Please put his name and address as your proxy form in accordance with the instructions provided so that he can vote AGAINST the motion in accordance with your instructions."