| Subject: SMH: Visa regime rethink as
shortages bite
[Excerpt: The issue of whether to create a new "guest worker"
category to fill short-term gaps has also been raised.
Senator Vanstone is understood to favour such a plan, which could help
unemployed people from East Timor.
However, sources said the scheme was unlikely to be approved by cabinet
because the Prime Minister, John Howard, and the Treasurer, Peter
Costello, were against it.]
Visa regime rethink as shortages bite By Louise Dodson, Chief Political
Correspondent March 17, 2005
The Federal Government is looking at overhauling its much criticised
immigration and detention system in an effort to solve the pressing skills
shortage.
The changes could result in a softening of the system and have asylum
seekers filling the gaps in the skilled and unskilled workforce that are
threatening to stifle economic growth.
Options include relaxing the rules governing temporary protection
visas. However, ministers are split on changes in the detention system.
About 8000 asylum seekers have been given temporary protection visas
but they must regularly prove they are under threat in their countries of
origin. Many of these visa holders work in rural areas in jobs such as
fruit picking, and are vital to local economies.
The system of mandatory detention is expected to remain as a deterrent
for illegal arrivals. But there could be changes to soften how it is
administered, with benefits for those already assessed as needing
protection.
Cabinet met on Monday to discuss the proposed shake-up. Sources said
the meeting included plans to change the detention system and to increase
skilled migration and overall immigration numbers for 2005-06 but no final
decisions were made.
Ministers were split on changes to the detention system and will meet
to discuss the proposals later.
The increase in skilled migration is expected to be around 20,000 - the
largest increase in 20 years.
The Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone, was asked to come back to
cabinet with a more refined system for ensuring Australia gets the skilled
migrants it needs. This could include creating new categories of
immigrants.
The issue of whether to create a new "guest worker" category
to fill short-term gaps has also been raised.
Senator Vanstone is understood to favour such a plan, which could help
unemployed people from East Timor.
However, sources said the scheme was unlikely to be approved by cabinet
because the Prime Minister, John Howard, and the Treasurer, Peter
Costello, were against it.
While cabinet is reviewing the immigration system, Mr Howard has been
talking privately with three Liberal MPs who are pushing hard for
comprehensive changes to the detention system. The MPs are Bruce Baird
(NSW), Petro Georgiou (Victoria) and Judi Moylan (Western Australia).
They want to grant people on temporary protection visas permanent
residency following health and security checks. They also want an
independent review for all detainees a year after they were first
detained. The MPs recently pressed for changes to the detention system
during the partyroom meeting.
Last year the Government changed the conditions for holding temporary
protection visas to allow refugees to renew them without having to go
offshore.
This followed strong lobbying by backbenchers including the National
Party MP John Forrest, who was keen to allow the refugees to remain in
rural areas in fruit-picking jobs.
But Mr Georgiou, Mr Baird and Ms Moylan want a more comprehensive
reform.
Back to March menu
February
World Leaders Contact List
Main Postings Menu
|
