Assistant Immigration Minister Michaelia Cash is set to announce an inquiry into the sc457 visa scheme,  with a pledge to ensure the integrity of the program while scrapping any unnecessary red tape that holds business back, reports the Australian.

According to DIBP statistics, the number of 457 visa applications lodged in the year to December 31 fell 37.9 per cent to 23,420 compared to the previous year. Analysts put it largely to the previous government’s election tactics which tightened rules in order to appease union complaints about the scheme, which allows employers to bring in temporary workers from overseas.

The Australian however reports, “Employers will gain a new chance to scale back Labor's controversial limits on skilled worker visas when the Abbott government moves today to reignite a political row over the 457 visa program.”

The government is expected to name an expert panel to investigate competing claims that the 457 visa program is beset by rorts that punish workers and rules that hobble employers.

The report states that leading the review will be Australian National University professor Peter McDonald, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry policy director Jenny Lambert, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu partner John Azarias and immigration lawyer Katie Malyon. The terms of reference to be issued today highlight the importance of the program to employers that experience skill shortages and the potential of the workers to boost the economy.

Arrogance, mismanagement and foreign policy faux pas have been pointed out by Bruce Haigh, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, as reasons why the DIBP Minister should resign, “He appears to understand nothing and listens to no one,” adding “Bully is a gentle word for Mr Morrison.” Haigh however doesn’t suggest who should take over.

In a strongly worded piece, the often quoted political commentator and former diplomat, Bruce Haigh said, ““The Minister for Immigration, Scott Morrison, should resign. He is not a fit and proper person to be responsible for vulnerable lives.”

Listing a litany of complaints, which could arguably apply to past heads of such portfolios, Haigh first pointed to the recent riots at the Manus Island detention camp caused likely by tension and frustration which then led to anger, physical violence from asylum seekers, one death and 70 injuries.

On the relationship with our giant of a neighbour, Indonesia, Haigh states, “Without any help, Mr Morrison has taken the relationship with Indonesia to its lowest point since the mid-1980s. He appears to understand nothing and listens to no one…"

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Regards,

Elizabeth Mitchell

Manager, Visa Training Benchmarks
TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute, Building I, Level 1, Room I.1.05
Mary Ann St, Ultimo NSW 2007
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Photo: Get your head out of the sand and don't disregard or deny the real issues.

WikiLeaks, move over. You can leave it to fumbling DIBP and MARA officers to mess with sensitive data just to have taxpayers funds diverted to the consequent damage control and investigations.

DIBP Minister Scott Morrison has put out a news release that private information of detainees were published on the DIBP website recently.

Head of PWC Asia predicts a Chinese investment boom in 2014 as the National Development and Reform Commission of China plans to open its regulations for deals worth less than $1.1bn. China's mergers and acquisitions in Australia jumped by 34 per cent in 2013 to $8.5 billion which was the highest level since 2009. China's investment in offshore markets may top $550bn in the next five years.

Australia is expected to be a major beneficiary of Chinese investments in 2014 reports the International Business Times.

The significant investor visa has already drawn some $325 million from some 65 Chinese millionaires who had qualified for the scheme. Their investments went to state government bonds, specific infrastructure and property investments mostly in Victoria and NSW.

Eyeing the potential influx, Realestate.com.au has launched a Web site specially targeted for the Chinese people. The web site was created to "facilitate property transactions" for the 46,000 properties listed, reports the IBTimes.