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Australian immigration news
Information and personal commentary into the latest news in Australian immigration and citizenship.
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An Abbott government and the migration program
Scott Morrison is the new Minister for Immigration & Border Protection. He is already moving quickly to address the vexed and polarised issues around irregular maritime arrivals.
As of today, no permanent protection visas will be issued to unauthorised arrivals. They will have to apply for temporary protection visas (TPVs). Since there are no statutory provisions for TPVs, more than 23,000 bridging visa E holders will be living in legal limbo for sometime until the new laws are passed.
It would be a safe bet to conclude that a TPV bill will be introduced quickly and it will find support from a wounded Labor parliamentary party.
The Migration Alliance also anticipates Bob Correll PSM will become the new Secretary of the newly labeled Department. Mr Correll, known as ‘Uncle Bob’, in the Australian Public Service, was a Deputy Secretary to Immigration, and Employment before that. He has spent the last twelve months or so as Morrison’s closest adviser on migration matters. Bob is no neophyte to the job.
The other big area of reform will be around some relaxation of temporary sponsored work visas. The pendulum is about to swing back towards employers and against red-tape with regards to 457 visas – the largest visa category granted in the overall migration program.
Already, the July 2013 reforms are creating a flood of rejections, appeals and compliance issues, as anecdotally reported to the Migration Alliance. It will reach crisis levels if not addressed immediately.
With 457 visas, there will be less bipartisanship.
Tony Abbott has long been supporter of a ‘Big Australia’. He wants the Department to be both the good cop and the bad cop with regards to the migration program.
The Prime Minister has said previously about a multicultural migration program:
“Australians have usually made it easier for immigrants to embrace their new home by appreciating that they would come to terms with life here in their own way and at their own pace. In the meantime, the different accents and different flavours of contemporary Australia have been a strength, not a weakness.”
His views are very generous. Indeed Abbott has stated the commitment of migrants to Australia should not be questioned.
It augurs well.
Since 1996, the migration program has become more weighted towards migrants who have English language abilities, qualifications and are generally self-reliant taxpayers. It has left Australia better able to address its ageing population pressures.
Former ALP Senator and commentator, John Black, noted in the The Weekend Australia recently that the Liberals election messages were penetrating the migrant voter more than ever where migrants have strong English capacities. Where the capacity is weaker, they do not hear the Liberal message, which is filtered through migrant press and radio.
The political implication being a shift in the way migrant voters vote. It is a more aspirational professional class of migrant voter than the previous generation. Over recent years, many international students and temporary work visa holders, who eventually become voting citizens have keenly felt the growing red-tape as much as migration agents and businesses.
The Liberal messages resonate more than ever to migrant constituencies.
Can the Liberal machine maintain that political advantage over the longer term and create a new constituency for itself?
An Abbot Government should be able to help forge a new national consensus about growing Australia through the migration program, one that resonates with votes in western Sydney and multicultural Melbourne.
As always, the policy proof will be in the legislative pudding.
The Migration Alliance will be expecting some strong outcomes for the student and skilled migrant visa reforms as a priority.
It is also expecting a more relaxed culture in the Department with fewer arbitrary powers around ‘genuine temporary entrants’ and a renewed commitment to resolve the migration status to avoid the growing number of appeal applications and visa over-stayers.
Comments
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Tuesday, 01 October 2013
There will always be red tape. It's a question of how much or less.
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Not surprising to see the MA continuing to try and drum up business for itself following the unfortunate Kang saga
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013What sort of business is that Murray? Do you mean the business of sharing information and news for free?
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
I can't comment on that, as the MA does not appear to publish a financial report, complete with audited financial statements
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Given that Migration Alliance receives donation of / bequest of time from our members, it is not necessary for a 'financial report' to be made available. Financial reports are for companies where contribution is based on money and income which is then used to pay staff, an office etc. An example of a company like this in the Migration Profession is the MIA. The MA annual return is submitted to the Office of Fair Trading.
In case you are not aware, Migration Alliance is:
1/ A not for profit incorporated association
2/ A member of Pro-bono Australia
3/ A member of Philanthropy Australia
4/ A member of the Australia China Business Council
5/ Listed as a Lobbyist Firm on the PMC website
6/ MA is compliant otherwise we would not be allowed to operate
Perhaps you have misunderstood that Migration Alliance is an association of people based on goodwill. It is a membership organisation built on a platform of sharing, contribution and giving back to the migration advice profession.
Nobody is forcing you to be here on this website or to participate in Migration Alliance.
I thank you for your contribution and welcome you. -
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Interesting perspective in light of the Associations of Incorporation Act. Do you not think your members are entitled to an Annual Report?
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Oh, and you forgot to mention your vested interest in the Liberal Party
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Hi Murray, a report on what exactly? First you said that MA should be providing financial reports with audited financial statements. Now you have reduced this to 'Annual Report' and removed 'financial and audited'. If you think Migration Alliance is not compliant with the Act then please let us know how, rather than simply insinuating that we are not. That way we can do something about it. We believe that we are compliant. Migration Alliance has a representative accountant for it's annual returns. Perhaps if you think we might not be compliant then email me at help@migrationalliance.com.au and I will send it on to him for review before the next annual return is due.
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Murray, who are you anyway?
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
I thought you would be aware that an Annual report contains financial reports. To paraphrase the relevant section of the Associations of Incorporation Act: "As soon as possible after the end of your incorporated association's financial year, the committee must ensure that financial statements are prepared." Note
the use of the word must
Again, I ask, do you not believe that your members are entitled to an Annual Report, appropriately constituted? Speaking of which, does the MA in fact have a Constitution.
Or am I believe that the MA derives no revenue whatsoever, other than from "benefactors"?
As to who I am? One of the ghosts from Christmas' past -
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
I would have thought that you would be across the fact that 'Annual Reports' contain audited financial statements. I again ask, do you believe that you members do merit an Annual Report, from their membership body.
To paraphrase the Associations of Incorporation Act: As soon as possible after the end of your incorporated association's financial year, the committee must ensure that financial statements are prepared. Note the use of the word must. Will you provide your members with appropriately constituted Annual Reports. Which leads me to another question, does the MA in fact have a Constitution?
As to who I am? One of the ghosts from Christmas' past.
Cheers -
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Does the MA, or any of its associated entities,derive any revenue at all, or just from 'benefactors'?
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Please don't tell me such a democratic organisation as the MA would censor me?
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
As a matter of interest, could you please explain to me the process/es one undergoes to officially become a member of MA?
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Wednesday, 16 October 2013
Does the MA have a formal alliance with the Liberal Party?
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Thursday, 17 October 2013
Dear "Murray Rivers",
MA is a political lobby group. That means that it lines itself up with those political parties who are supportive of Migration agents and their "issues". in the last election that was the Liberals.In the next election it may be Labor. Please send me an email setting out exactly what your concerns are and I would be very happy to give you a considered reply which you can publish or communicate to anyone you like. if the name Murray River is a pseudonym or heaven forbid you are a troll then I guess you wont be sending me any emails soon. Here is my email address..Christopher@levingston.com.au...knock yourself out!
Immigration blog
it's about time that the draconian legislation introduced over the past 6 years be reviewed and a more realistic and pragmatic approach be applied to Immigration. Enough red tape!!