Tweet
Over recent days public attention has been focussed on the fate of 78 asylum seekers aboard an Australian customs vessel. Fair enough, drama on the high seas is always going to capture headlines, but it can distract from other developments in Australia's migration program that may shape the nation in more fundamental ways.
Late last year, Immigration Minister Chris Evans established a "critical skills list", a list of occupations in high demand in Australia, and announced that migrants with those skills would receive priority visa processing. In March this year the minister trimmed the critical skills list, and then, last month, he made further changes to the priority for asessing applications for permanent residency.
The result is that many migrants now face a wait of at least two years before their applications will even be considered.
Migration applicants stuck in two-year limbo - The National Interest - 30 October 2009
Late last year, Immigration Minister Chris Evans established a "critical skills list", a list of occupations in high demand in Australia, and announced that migrants with those skills would receive priority visa processing. In March this year the minister trimmed the critical skills list, and then, last month, he made further changes to the priority for asessing applications for permanent residency.
The result is that many migrants now face a wait of at least two years before their applications will even be considered.
Migration applicants stuck in two-year limbo - The National Interest - 30 October 2009
Comment