Elisabeth Wynhausen; 16/8/08
A few months ago migration lawyer Michael Clothier rang the Adelaide offices of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to complain that cheques for visa application fees he had written on his trust account hadn’t been cashed in three months. The Adelaide office processes applications from skilled migrants who wish to settle in Australia. Clothier was aware there was a backlog. “People are waiting for these visas for more than 12 months,” he says. But he was startled nonetheless. “They said they couldn’t find the file to give me a receipt or even tell me whether they had cashed my cheque because my client’s file was in a pile with 7000 others on the floor.”
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24187146-28737,00.html
Guest workers backed
Sarah Smiles: 16/8/08; http://www.theage.com.au/national/guest-workers-backed-20080815-3wee.html
A guest worker scheme to bring Pacific Islanders to Australia for seasonal work is a “win-win” initiative that will boost development and stability in the region, says the Commonwealth Secretary-General. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected this weekend to announce details of a small pilot scheme to bring islanders here for work such as fruit picking. Kamalesh Sharma, who represents the Commonwealth group of 53 states, said the scheme would help to meet labour shortages in Australia while aiding Pacific Island economies and training their youth. “It’s extremely important because the economies of these island countries are very narrow … in terms of opportunities for young people,” said Mr Sharma, a former Indian diplomat.
Tags: Asia and PacificAdd new tag, Australia, Migrants & Refugees, Workers