EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- SBS Online reports a federal court ruling has curtailed the federal government's authority to detain and deport refugees who commit crimes in Australia under the section 501 character test. In the judgment, which was handed down on Christmas Eve, Justice Steven Rares said the character provisions in Section 501 of the Migration Act do not apply to refugees. Human Rights for All director principal Alison Battison commented that the finding could affect thousands of people.
- Herald Sun reports Nepal has become a significant migrant source for Australia, with government figures showing more people from Nepal settled in Australia last year than from the United Kingdom. Nepalese are a major part of the international student industry, with 43,190 student visa applications lodged last year.
- ABC Online reports a recent study by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre has found 35 per cent of migrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds were considered overqualified for their jobs. Report author Alan Duncan from Curtin University said improved skills matching and better training could add $6 billion to Australia's economy.
Character test used to deport thousands from Australia doesn't apply to refugees: Court
SBS.COM.AU, Other, 15/01/2020, Rosemary Bolger
Refugees who have been refused a visa or had their visa cancelled on character grounds could now challenge the government's decision. The federal government's power to detain and deport refugees who commit crimes in Australia has been severely curtailed by a federal court ruling.
'I don't want to be one of those absent fathers': Rudi is trapped between Australia's family and immigration law systems
Canberra Times, Other, 16/01/2020, Peter Mares
In a sense, Rudi Novak's experiences over the past decade are a common enough tale of people falling in and out of love, of relationships starting and ending, and of children being caught between. Although his story is messier and more complicated than most, the problem at its core is a simple one: Rudi's daughter Maja is Australian, but he is not.
Settlers from Nepal now major migrant group as arrivals outnumbered Brits last year
Herald Sun, Other, 15/01/2020, John Masanauskas
Settlers from Nepal now major migrant group as arrivals outnumbered Brits last year Nepalese nationals are making up a surprisingly large percentage of migrants flooding to Australia, with almost 12,000 settling here last year. This is why. More people from Nepal settled in Australia last year than from the United Kingdom, federal government figures show.
Overqualified migrants present a $6 billion opportunity for Australia's economy, study shows
ABC Online, Other, 16/01/2020
Qusay Al-Turkey was a distinguished archaeologist, author, university professor and media commentator back in his home country of Iraq, before moving to Perth in 2017. Key points:He now spends most of his time working at a food truck in the northern Perth suburb of Mirrabooka to earn an income.
Terrified backpacker reveals how pervert asked her to wear a g-string to carry out tasks - as other women share their farm work horror stories
Daily Mail Australia, Other, 15/01/2020, Lauren Ferri
Backpackers who were sexually harassed by farm employees while working towards their second year visas have shared their horror stories. People looking to extend their Working Holiday Visas and stay in Australia for another year must complete 88 days of paid seasonal work.
Backpackers fear safety at risk over claims predators scouring seasonal job ads
9News.com.au, Other, 15/01/2020, Kate Kachor
When the voice of Sonia's* GPS said she had reached her destination, the young backpacker was puzzled by the kilometres of vacant fields framing the roadway around her. The 21-year-old had been behind the wheel of her car for more than 10 hours- driving towards an address she believed was her new boss's farm in regional Australia.