A new program to tackle labour shortages in Victoria’s Great South Coast region has been officially launched today in Warrnambool.

The Great South Coast Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) provides an opportunity for regional employers to be endorsed to hire overseas workers for roles that cannot be filled by Australian residents.

The DAMA is an Australian Government initiative with the Great South Coast DAMA a first for Victoria and the first to be driven by Local Government.

Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said “the DAMA is designed to support local businesses by helping them fill key roles.

The Canberra Create Your Future website states the following on its 'migrating' page:

Invitation date: 11 June 2019

Number of Invitations Issued: 652

Matrix score range:

FECCA Chairperson Ms Mary Patetsos said Hieu Van Le had dedicated his life to serving his community. "Mr Le is a symbol of what migrants to Australia can and have achieved," she said.

"In addition to his combined 12 years as Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Mr Le has been a leading advocate in the arts, cultural diversity and education sectors.

Public figures who act as a unifying force in our society are incredibly important, particularly at a time when public discourse seems to be becoming more divisive."

• Up to 10% reduction of the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which is set nationally
• English language concessions at IELTS (or equivalent in another accepted English language test) 4.5 with no less than 4.0 in any of the four test components
• Skills assessment concession
• Age concession to enable pathways to permanent residency

• Download SA Regional Workforce DAMA PDF document here

The South Australia Regional Workforce Agreement occupations list:

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/upload/publications/Local-Employers/DAMA/SA-Regional-Workforce-DAMA-Occupation-List.pdf

Source: https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/local-employers/designated-area-migration-agreements/dama-occupation-lists

Three Victorian properties valued at $4.2 million were today forfeited to the Commonwealth by order of the Melbourne Supreme Court.

This is the first forfeiture action under the terms of the Joint Agency Arrangement (JAA) on economic crime cooperation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

The AFP Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) restrained the properties on 22 November 2018 as part of a proceeds of crime investigation into offshore funds allegedly being laundered in Australia by Chinese nationals.