Australian Immigration Daily News

Jennifer Fong, Registered Migration Agent,  just notified me that she has been to post a query through the DIAC's Agents Gateway and after completing her details and inserting her MARN onto the screen she has been provided with a popup message which is linked below and attached in the pic.  The message forces her to agree before posting her question to the Agents Gateway. 

I am wondering if Migration Alliance should create one of these kinds of messages too where DIAC case officers must go through a 'I agree' before contacting an RMA.  Terms such as:

1/ I agree that I have read the legislation and know how to interpret it before asking the RMA to do something

I was recently at the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority in Sydney and whilst in the waiting room I came across the booklet called 'Detailed Consumer Information'.  The Office of the MARA have stuck a dodgy-looking white sticker which says 'Detailed Consumer Information' on the front cover.  This sticker sits over words which say 'Consumer Guide' which you can see through the white sticker. On the back cover the street address is crossed out in black pen.  

Has anyone else seen this physical booklet before? 

It is produced in 2010.  Seems strange to spend all that money on printing these booklets, only to have to ruin them by sticking a white label on the front of it and crossing out the street address on the back.   No new address is inserted on the back so all the public have to go by is a PO Box for the Office of the MARA.  I don't think reflects well on the profession to have the regulator doing quick-fixes like this (band-aid attempts).  I would prefer that they simply re-print fresh, new and properly worded booklets with the right information contained within the booklet.

I received this email from a member of Migration Alliance yesterday and thought it best to share the DIAC response:

Hi Liana,

Can you please send my enquiries to the 457 policy section:

Australia has intercepted another vessel, this one with 67 passengers. 

This means that over 50,000 persons have now arrived illegally into Australia since Rudd got rid of the border protection policies which were in place, and working well under the previous Liberal government.

Over 1000 people have died as a result.

Let's have a look at some raw statistics.  Since Rudd changed Howard's policies, which used to stop the boats, 50,032 people have arrived on 798 boats.  This is quite literally insane. 

Now Australia has implemented the MOU with Papua New Guinea which is being called the 'Papua New Guinea (PNG) solution' (is this something like 'Malaysia NO SOLUTION' - in my opinion - yes!).  Why?  Because now over 1,900 persons arrived since the inception of the 'P.N.G. SOLUTION'

According to Scott Morrison, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship this has led to AUD11 billion in budget blowouts.  According to Morrison this is money that could be better spent on Australia's hospitals, roads and schools.

It has damaged Australia’s international reputation and weakened our borders.

I guess my question is, does Rudd have the competence to secure the borders?  Or is this a knee-jerk reaction by Rudd to secure last-minute votes before the Federal elections on 7 September 2013.

Once again there are price increases across visa classes in Australia from 5 August 2013.  For the latest amendments please see ComLaw link:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013L01534

When are the visa application charges going to stop going up?