Australian Immigration Daily News

A member of Migration Alliance has received an email from Angela Chan, President of the MIA.  A copy of that email is below.

Message to Members

Dear XXXXX (name removed for privacy reasons),

Recently there has been a great deal of public commentary by some registered migration agents through media statements and blogs which seem designed solely to denigrate, vilify and intimidate other registered migration agents and people associated with the profession. It is becoming widely accepted that the commentary is for the most part defamatory. This behaviour, masquerading as some crusade for truth, does nothing to advance the reputation of registered migration agents and is not a pathway towards greater community recognition and acceptance of registered migration agents as respected professionals.

The MIA and its Board does not support or condone conduct which may bring the migration profession into disrepute.

I am gratified to have received a great deal of support from our membership around the country who agree that the conduct of those people fuelling negative comments does not reflect how our members want their profession to be represented.

I can assure members that the MIA will not engage in a public slanging match. Instead, the MIA will continue to be vigorous in its pursuit of professional conduct and will not resile from taking appropriate action to defend and protect our reputation and integrity. 

The Code of Conduct for registered migration agents at clause 4.5 gives clear direction, "A registered migration agent must act with fairness, honesty and courtesy when dealing with other registered migration agents."  I invite you all to faithfully honour this obligation and encourage other registered migration agents to do the same.

Finally, as we mourn the death of the late, great Nelson Mandela, we should all remember his words:  "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."


Angela Chan FMIA
MIA National President
 

Migration Alliance attended the NSW Client Reference Group (CRG) meeting this morning at the DIBP, Level 5, Tower C, 300 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.  Kay Ransome, the principal member of the MRT-RRT presented on 'Tribubals Online - Stage 1 e-Services'.  The notes from the presentation are as follows:

The MRT-RRT is going online.

Phase one will be launching at the end of January 2014.  Applications will be able to be lodged online and paymement made by credit card.  Direct debit might be able to occur later.  Applications will still be able to be lodged offline.

Migration Alliance was represented by Michael Jeremy, Maryanne Young and me at the NSW Client Reference Group meeting this morning.  This was held at DIBP, Level 5, Tower C, 300 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.

This presentation was called 'Online Account' and CR10 Update and it was provided by Adrian Motherway and Mark McGuire.  Adrian is the Global Manager for e-business and Mark is the Director of e-business support.  Adrian has just taken a new role in the private sector and is soon to be leaving the DIBP.  An announcement will be made shortly regarding Adrian's replacement.  The presentation was made by video-conference from Canberra.

Adrian Motherway - presentation

Rocio Trapag-Saul provided the client service update this morning at DIBP's Client Reference Group meeting which was held at Level 5, Tower C, 300 Elizabeth Street, Sydney in the DIBP's Conference Room.

Rocio is the Global Manager, Client Services and her role includes counters, telephones and T.I.S but her role is not responsible for offshore and there is no central position looking after offshore at the moment.

There are a few big things on the development agenda:

Migration Alliance was represented by Mayanne Young, Michael Jeremy and me this morning at the last NSW Client Reference Group (CRG) meeting for 2013.The meeting was held at 9:30am-12:00pm in the DIBP Conference Room, Level 5, Tower C, 300 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.

The following are the notes I took from the meeting:

Welcome - Chair - Kruno Kukoc - NSW State Director, Director of Refugee and Humanitarian and Family Visas - DIBP