Amidst complaints and media criticism on the dumping of the non-contributory visas for aged relatives namely the aged parent, aged dependent relative, remaining relative and carer visas, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has said that the visa had to go for now but indicated he could reinstate applications in future, according to a report in the Herald Sun.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, the Minister said that he recognised the decision was disappointing but the categories had to go because the waiting lists had blown out to as long as 16 years for some of the categories.

“Given the queues that had developed, it would be inappropriate to accept further ­applications and give people the false expectation that visas could be granted soon,” Mr Morrison said, speaking to The Herald Sun.

He said it was his “sincere hope” he could reinstate applications once the backlog was under control. Until then, visas would only be issued for previous applicants. The Ministers has however provided no further details.

One of the major complaints, as noted in the news report is that, families were caught off-guard: “Families are being forced to pay almost $50,000 to bring an elderly parent to Australia and care for them in their twilight years after a much cheaper $5000 visa closed, catching some off-guard…people were given just hours’ notice on a government website on May 30 of the closure of the applicants that day” reports the Herald Sun.

According to the Herald Sun, Theresa Webster, an only child, brought her British mother, Helen, 86, to Melbourne from South Africa last month to care for her, rather than send her to an aged care home in a country where she has no family to visit her. But applications closed ­before they touched down and Ms Webster said she would have to send her mother back, as she was unable to pay the ­increase from $5000 to $50,000.

Migration Alliance has made the following suppklementary submission today in relation to the Independent review of the Office of the MARA.

Migration Alliance further submission for the Independent Review of the Office of the MARA

Annexure A

The following email was sent to an RMA today.  It is going to be so much fun determining which TRN corresponds to which client so that we can refund them $3.50.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Another brazen scam targeting migrants has been uncovered in Melbourne.

The Australian reports that a scam in which migrant women paid up to $3000, and studied for up to a year, only to be handed fake childcare qualifications has been uncovered in Melbourne.

The report states that up to 100 women are thought to have received fake Diploma in Children's Services qualifications in the scam, which ran from 2010 to 2013 and targeted the city's Somalian community.

The women were given work books and were duped into thinking they had enrolled in a course at a reputable training organisation.

"These women genuinely believe they have completed the work, and at the end they receive a certificate...A lot of these victims have then started to seek employment, or promotions, within the childcare sector and it is then discovered their certificates are fraudulent. Detective Senior Constable Kate O'Neill told AAP.

Women affected by the scam are urged to contact police as there is an offer to complete their training legitimately.

Stephanie Lu, RMA 9252100 has an office available at short notice. 

Stephanie is a semi-retired migration agent would like to have a fellow migration agent to share a well-established office located in the heart of the city, just opposite of Wynyard station. Please contact Stephanie if you are interested on 0409608168.