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Australian Immigration News 20 January 2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- The Age and 2SM report the Chinese Embassy in Australia has told the Australian Government it is concerned that hundreds of Chinese PhD students in Australia have experienced long visa delays, and an embassy spokesperson said the reason for the delays have not been "clearly explained". This comes after warnings from experts about the risk of Chinese researchers' work being used contrary to Australia's interests after returning to China. A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said Chinese international students are subject to the same requirements as other students.
- Adelaide Now reports the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show South Australia recorded a 0.9 per cent population growth in 2019, compared to a national average of 1.5 per cent, marking its fourth successive year of increased growth. Skills Minister David Pisoni said the recent improvements were encouraging, but the state would need to bolster its skilled migration in the regions to help train more South Australians and fill the skills gap, as almost half the jobs advertised in regional SA remain unfilled.
- Daily Mail reports a family of Indian immigrants with Australian citizenship are moving to Canada for better job opportunities, claiming it is more 'migrant-friendly'. Education agent Hardik Rao said in Australia there are not enough opportunities for migrants to gain employment, start a business or sponsor a family member, especially for migrants from the Indian subcontinent. The article reports that the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visas have made it harder for migrants to settle in Australia and that the threshold increase for the migration points system, from 60 to 65, has added another barrier to permanent residency.
Deportation looms for English-born lifelong criminal Peter Walker
The Australian, Other, 17/01/2020, Geoff Chambers
After a life of crime that made him one of Australia's most notorious criminals, Peter Walker appears likely to be forced to return to his native England. The one-time notorious criminal who broke out of Pentridge Prison with Ronald Ryan, the last man hanged in Australia in 1967, is set to be deported on character grounds after losing a bid to stay in the country he has called home for 70 years.
Two more Australians stripped of citizenship for Islamic State links
Sydney Morning Herald, Other, 17/01/2020
Two Australians in a refugee camp in Syria have been stripped of their citizenship over links to Islamic State, sparking family concerns their young children have been rendered effectively stateless. The stripping of the couple's citizenship has been backdated to 2016 - before the youngest two children were born - leaving them stranded in the notorious al-Hawl camp in Syria.
'Great concern': Chinese Embassy hits out at visa delays
The Age, Other, 19/01/2020
The Chinese Embassy has raised its "great concern" with the Australian government that hundreds of Chinese PhD students hoping to start their studies here have endured long visa delays. "The reasons for the delays have not been clearly explained," an embassy spokesman told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age via email.
SA records highest level of population growth in five years - but still lags behind every other state
Adelaide Now, Other, 19/01/2020, Daniel Wills
South Australia population growth rate has risen to the highest level in five years, but remains the lowest of all states, as Tasmania steals a march in the race for new residents. Latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show SA recorded 0.9 per cent population growth in 2019 - compared to a national average of 1.5 per cent - rising to 1.75 million people.
Also reported by: The Mercury (Online)
Fears children could become stateless after Australian government strips parents' citizenship
SBS.COM.AU, Other, 17/01/2020, Tom Stayner
SBS News has been told the Australian citizenship of a man and woman has been revoked making their children at the Al-Hol camp in Syria at risk of being stateless. A couple has been stripped of their Australian citizenship over alleged terror links, prompting fears their children will be left stateless in Syria.
2SM, 09:00 News (Weekend), 19/01/2020
The Chinese Embassy in Australia has criticised the Australian Government for delaying visas for Chinese PhD students. According to experts, Chinese researchers work in Australia can be used contrary to Australia's interests when students return home.
The talented artist with cystic fibrosis who had to fight to be accepted by Australia
SBS.COM.AU, Other, 20/01/2020, Maani Truu
Grant Jonathon Gronewold, AKA HTMLflowers, faced a lengthy immigration battle to move to Australia as a child and was told he wouldn't live to see his 18th birthday. Now 32, he continues to share the reality of life with a chronic illness through his work so others feel less alone.
How to become an Australian citizen?
SBS.COM.AU, Other, 18/01/2020, Amy Chien-Yu Wang
Many people choose Australia day to become an Australian citizen, with ceremonies held around the country, but what are the steps involved before reaching that stage? Permanent Residency Ruby Fowdar is a migration agent from Brisbane-based Australian Immigration Agency.
'My attacker was my friend': Backpacker's rape 'hell' in Australia
Yahoo! News Australia, Other, 18/01/2020, Helen Kingwell
An English backpacker claims she was raped while working on a Queensland farm in order to get her second year visa to stay in Australia, which requires backpackers to work in rural communities. Helen Kingwell, 23, has detailed the "unbearable" conditions she says she was subject to while working in Bundaberg last year.
Man detained over ‘high level exploitation’
Communitynews.com.au, Other, 17/01/2020
A man who police suspect is involved in the high level exploitation of foreign workers was found hiding in the roof space of a Perth home unit. Australian Border Force officers have detained a 28-year-old Chinese unlawful non-citizen suspected of being involved in the high level exploitation of foreign workers in the food processing industry in WA.
Indian immigrant family who were granted citizenship in Australia are moving to Canada because it's more 'migrant-friendly' and there are better job prospects
Daily Mail Australia, Other, 17/01/2020, Shive Prema
A family of Indian immigrants with Australian citizenship are moving to Canada for better job opportunities and because they say it's more 'migrant-friendly'. Education agent Hardik Rao, 42, and his wife moved to Australia 13 years ago but, after having two children, they are calling it quits and heading to Canada because they think they will find a better life there.
British backpacker’s rape ‘hell’ during visa farm work
NEWS.com.au, Other, 17/01/2020
Helen Kingwell endured 88 days of "unbearable" farm work so she could live in Australia. But while working for her visa she was allegedly raped in her sleep. A British backpacker who picked zucchinis to secure an Australian visa has claimed she was raped in the "cramped" and "unbearable" living conditions where farm workers stayed.
