what’s news in immigration?

latest news 28 October 2008

Immigration intake 'good for business'
27 October 2008
The business community has urged the Government not to cut Australia's immigration intake, despite calls from the Opposition for a 25% reduction in the coming year. more...

Inquiry into skilled worker (457 visa) bill
23 October 2008
The Senate has set up an inquiry into the Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Bill 2008 which aims to strengthen the obligations for sponsors of skilled migrants on 457 visas. more...

Employers warn plans to cut migration will hurt businesses
22 October 2008
The Federal Government may consider cutting back on skilled migration in preparation for an increase in unemployment, but industry experts warn changes will hurt employers Emmigration Minister Chris Evans said in Senate hearings yesterday that migration programs must remain sensitive to the economy and say skilled migration levels will be “kept under review”. more...

Pacific labour unlikely to make harvest
22 October 2008
The Federal Opposition says there is now little chance the Government will get its Pacific Islander harvest labour scheme up and running by the end of the year as it promised. The Opposition and rural industries are also cautioning the Government against cutting skilled migration in response to fear of higher unemployment. more...

Govt still investigating meatworks a fortnight later
21 October 2008
The Department of Immigration is still deliberating over whether action will be taken against a Dinmore meatworks accused of abusing the 457 visa process. It has been 15 days since Swift Australia was required to by the Department to respond to Australian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) allegations that local staff were being stood down at the same time that foreign workers on 457 visas were being handed more work. The Department has the power to revoke the rights of Swift to use 457 visas if it does not provide evidence that it has exhausted avenues to source local workers. more...