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.

Following the successful SIV cocktail events held in Sydney and Melbourne,  Migration Alliance is delighted to invite migration agents who practice in, or have an interest in Significant Investor 188 and 888 applications to an exclusive event by our sponsors NAB Private Wealth in association with PwC Private Clients to be now held in Brisbane.

We are also very pleased to announce that Business and Skilled Migration Queensland will be presenting at the event and will be providing information on the Significant Investor Visa and the Queensland state nomination process.

NAB Private Wealth and PwC Private Clients Team will provide an overview of how they can assist your SIV clients. This event will provide you with the information on investment choices as well as the depth and breadth of expertise that NAB Private Wealth, NAB Migrant Banking and PwC Private Clients can bring to you and your clients.

This event provides an exclusive opportunity for you to understand more about the investment choices and tax considerations for your clients and targets. There will also be an opportunity for you to engage one on one with experts from NAB Private Wealth and PwC Private Clients to answer any specific queries that you or your clients may be facing.

Register your interest today, spaces are strictly limited to ensure that all agents get the opportunity to speak with Business and Skilled Migration Queensland, NAB Private Wealth and PwC Private Clients.

Event Details:

Time:                     Wednesday 19th March

                             Registration 5pm

                             Event starts 5.30pm and finishes at 7. 30pm

Location:               NAB Head Office

                             Level 24

                             100 Creek Street

                             Brisbane Qld

Light refreshments will  be provided.

RSVP Using the following link - Register Here

Nab awards:

For the views of other agents please read the comments on this blog article.

Migration Alliance member RMAs might be interested in this email I just received from a fellow agent:

Hi Liana,

PHOTO: Grant rate of student visa applications decided in the three month period between 1 July 2013 and 30 September 2013 by citizenship country and client location. (Supplied: Australian government)

The ABC reports that the number of Indian students coming to Australia is rapidly rising with the number of higher education visa applications lodged by students in India to study in Australia more than doubling from 1,987 to 4,148 in the year to September 2013.

India's growing economy has pulled hundreds of millions of people into the middle class and has given them the means and the drive to pursue higher education, reports the ABC.

"Students are no longer just going to Australia seeking permanent residency, they are actually going there to get a quality education," Rhian Thomas, group vice president at The Chopras education services company in New Delhi, said.