We’ve all heard the expression: “There is nothing new under the sun” (in case you are really curious, this expression comes from the Bible, specifically “Ecclesiastes”).

I would reckon that most RMAs would question from their work experience just how accurate that expression really is! I suggest that it would be the more typical experience of RMAs that the opposite is really true, that instead of there being nothing new under the sun, in reality there is almost always something new under the sun – practically every day!  And (if you can bring yourself) to read the case reports on Austlii, you will see that it is really true – different, unusual, surprising and one might go so far as to say “wacky” situations come up in the Federal courts all the time!

The case that is the subject of today’s article – Patel & Anor v Minister for Immigration & Anor (2015) FCCA 28293 – involves an issue that I haven’t come across before:  Can the fraudulent conduct of the sponsor of a 457 visa holder result in the cancellation of the visa?  The answer to this question, provided by the Court in the Patel case is: “Yes it can!”

In a world first move, Australia is looking to trial passport-less travel. Virtual passports or ‘cloud passports’ may soon allow Australians to breeze through international airports without having to deal with the sometime mindless enquiries of immigration officials over their traditional passports.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced earlier this week that the idea of ‘passport – less’ travel was presented to and well received by a number of international leaders as part of the Australia’s InnovationXchange project.

A 'cloud passport' would work by storing the identity and biometric data of holders online so it could be checked digitally, thus eliminating the need to carry a physical copy.

One obvious benefit would mean Australians no longer would need to worry about losing or having their passports stolen. Statistics from the department of foreign affairs and trade (DFAT) show 38,718 Australian passports were reported lost or stolen in 2014-15.

The idea of document-free travel emerged from the InnovationXchange project. The project encourages DFAT employees to contribute creative ideas using their experience and expertise on the job. The $140 million InnovationXchange project was launched in May in collaboration with American publisher and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Ms Bishop said the ideas emerging from the projects were 'innovative, challenged the status quo and had the potential to transform the way we do business globally.

We recommend Migration Alliance members to partner with Migration Cover for insurance for their ‘skilled’ clients.

In brief, this product provides a sense of security for people immigrating, or those who have already immigrated, to New Zealand or Australia.  This unique product was created as a direct result of listening to migrants, understanding and empathising with their concerns about migrating.   

This insurance covers the policyholder’s repatriation, employment advocacy and travel needs, subject to the conditions of the policy.   So your clients can now ‘Go or Stay with Confidence!^TM  

Migration Alliance is urging people who believe that they have been tricked, conned or taken for a ride by Abel Prasad to please come forward.   We are providing information to the authorities, who are fast closing in on Prasad.

We need people to help by sending information to us about their experience with Prasad. 

Tip-offs are acceptable.  Tip-offs will be acted on.

Please email all information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Attn: Liana Allan

You may recall that when the legislative instrument was signed off by Senator Cash with the effect of cease and capping 16000 group 4 and 5 candidates; there was a reference to internal and external stakeholder consultations buried away in the explanatory statement.

I issued an FOI request seeking the following:

Details of "internal stakeholder consultation and "external" stakeholder consultation referred to in paragraph 6 of the"explanatory statement" underpinning Legislative Instrument IMMI 15/112.