Attachment A of the following Issues Paper describes how submissions can be accepted by the Productivity Commission.

http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/migrant-intake/issues/migrant-intake-issues.pdf

Migration Alliance is putting together a submission and would like to include the ideas of members.

$50,000 could soon be the cost of Australian citizenship under radical proposals being reviewed by the Productivity Commission. The government has asked the think tank to investigate a “price-based immigration system” which would effectively grant citizenship to those who are willing to pay the price, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald today.

With the budget blowout now estimated at $150 billion over the next four years – which is $50 billion higher than first thought – the government is seriously considering a radical shift away from migration based on skills and family connections to a person’s wealth.

“Such a scheme could help the government rein in the budget deficit by bringing in tens of billions of dollars in extra revenue and allow it to trim the number of public servants administering Australia's immigration system,” notes the report.

The Productivity Commission paper on Australia's migrant intake, released on Friday, raises some dramatic proposals including introducing an immigration lottery and creating a HECS-style payment system for immigrants to pay back their entry fee - those who cannot pay the fee upfront may be allowed to borrow against future expected earnings or by introducing a loans program.

Businesses needing skilled migrants could pay the fee or governments could waive the fee for particular professions or trades, according to the report.

The Productivity Commission will release a draft report in November and hold public hearings before it hands its final report to government next March.

The OMARA has effectively told the Migration Alliance that it will do nothing about a complaint raised by the MA that a public seminar on migration is set to be delivered by a person not registered with the OMARA.

You may have a PhD, you may be a lawyer, you may be a CPA or have other professional qualifications, but to provide migration advice you are required to be a registered migration agent with the OMARA, unless specific exceptions under the law apply.

It is Migration Alliance's concern that presenters need to be listed on the OMARA’s list of registered migration agents.   According to the Global Talent Summit (Sydney) speaking schedule, the following workshops are set to run:

• Introduction to Australian & New Zealand Immigration for International Recruitment. 
• Managing your risk – Immigration Risk Management for Intra-Company Transfers. 
• Australian Immigration Policy Updates – Labour Agreements, English Language Requirements and Skills Assessment. 

However, no RMA is listed as a presenter for these workshops. Do you think that this is right or the matters set out in the workshop amount to immigration assistance under the Migration Act?

Section 276 of the Migration Act  among other things, indicates that a person gives immigration assistance if the person uses, or purports to use, knowledge of, or experience in, migration procedure to assist another person about nominating or sponsoring a visa applicant for the purposes of the regulation. To provide immigration assistance, registration with the OMARA is required.

We’re excited to announce the launch of Bupa Beginnings, a free and interactive guide to the Australian health system when having a baby.

Bupa Beginnings helps prospective and new parents understand their healthcare options, and make an informed choice. From hospital costs to birthing options, things are explained in clear terms – and if you’re a Bupa member you can even get an estimate of out of pocket expenses, depending on the type of care chosen.

This easy-to-use online tool can provide your clients with clear and helpful information on their health and care options and costs, from the moment they start planning a baby, through pregnancy and childbirth, and into the early months of their child’s life.

9 in 10 Australians think immigrants improve Australian society and many think the migration levels should be increased or kept the same at least.

A poll of 1200 Australian adults in March this year has found that an overwhelming number of Australians believe that immigrants improve Australian society, according to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald today.

The figures from the annual poll conducted by the Australian National University also found that over 80 per cent of Australians think immigrants are good for the economy.

Less than a third thought immigrants take jobs away from people born here and a similar number felt immigrants increased crime levels.

The main area of objection is with illegal immigrants. Under half of those polled felt that the current measures against illegals are inadequate and agreed that Australia should take "stronger measures to exclude illegal immigrants".