Australian Immigration Daily News

Senate Estimates

On Monday, 23 February 2015 the tribunals' Executive and I attended Senate Estimates and appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitution Affairs. I provided the committee with an update on matters of significance since our last appearance in October 2014, including a caseload update and an indicator of this year’s caseload strategy. The tribunals were questioned on the current caseload, in particular those related to unauthorised maritime arrivals, processing times and improvements and efficiencies implemented by the tribunals.  Read more>

Caseload report to 28 February 2015

Perhaps the most important advice to agents in 2015 about OMARA's 'random audits' can be found in the words recently posted by Immigration Lawyer, Ray Turner:

An email has been sent by DIBP's 457 policy section to Stakeholders re 457 training benchmarks:

Dear Stakeholder,

In response to recent allegations of misuse of funds contributed for the purpose of meeting the subclass 457 training benchmark requirements, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is conducting an audit of known training funds.

THE RESPONSE FROM DIBP IS AS FOLLOWS:

Hi Liana

As mentioned in my email to you last Thursday, the department is currently conducting an audit of known training funds in response to recent allegations, including from you, of misuse of funds contributed for the purpose of meeting the subclass 457 training benchmark requirements.  I have attached a copy of the correspondence with training funds for your information.

I have just watched the following satire on 'Minister for Men' played by Gretel Killeen.  Covered by Women's Agenda and getting a huge hit rate on YouTube I would like to invite migration agents to watch this for a laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUPWoEEipSc

Have your say.  Do you think that Australia's Prime Minister, Mr Tony Abbott, should give the job of 'Minister for Women' to a woman, or do you think he should be Australia's Minister for Women?