Dear Members,
On 15 March 2022 our National President Julie Williams FMIA and I attended a private luncheon event with the Hon. Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs for an update on Australia's migration program.
Given the impending announcement regarding the Federal Election together with the forthcoming release of the Government's budget Minister Hawke was unable to provide firm numbers with respect to the migration planning program levels for 2022-23. While the MIA and other relevant bodies and associations have lobbied for an increase in the 2022-23 migration program levels to assist in Australia’s economic recovery, the Minister said that it was unlikely the migration program for 2022-23 will return to pre-pandemic numbers. Therefore, I think we can assume the program levels (when announced) will contain reduced numbers overall. Minister Hawke also stated the program would broadly follow the usual 2/3 Skilled to 1/3 Family split in the program allocation. We will advise further once the migration program 2022-23 is announced and available to public.
If the presiding government is returned at the forthcoming election (which is likely to be announced shortly with a date expected to be in May), Minister Hawke also stated that his priority post-election is to review the Occupational Skills Lists and increase the occupations on the Medium/Long Term Occupation List.
I know all members are dealing with delays with respect to processing times (eg currently averaging 49 days (SC 482) to 5 months (SC 186 Direct entry). I specifically raised this concern with the Minister. He is aware of the delays. In this regard, if you have any specific examples and details with respect to inordinate processing delays, that are well in excess of the published service standards, kindly forward the details to [email protected] (with the subject heading: Processing Delays). We will be compiling a specific list to forward details directly to the Minister as he has requested.
With respect to SIV, the Minister was of the view the Home Affairs will maintain a course of 'continuous improvement' with no specific major changes and expressed a view that 'the settings are pretty right' with this visa category.
The Ukraine/Russia situation was an important topic of discussion. Cabinet is in consultation with the EU regarding intake and the Minister stated that Australia will fit in with what EU countries are doing with respect to fleeing Ukraine nationals from the war zone.
Cabinet considers the European Commission's initiative to activate the Temporary Protection Directive will likely be an effective means to offer quick assistance to people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Under the scheme, those fleeing the war will be granted temporary protection in the EU. Ukrainian nationals and non-Ukrainian nationals and stateless people legally residing in Ukraine who cannot return to their country or region of origin, such as asylum seekers or beneficiaries of international protection and their families, will also be granted protection in the EU. The Minister stated that it is expected that up to 90% of these fleeing people will be given access to EU countries as a direct result of the EC's Directive. The European Commission reports that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, over 650,000 people have fled to neighbouring EU member States. No doubt Australia will play an important role as things progress and potentially escalate in the Ukraine. There was no further announcement on Australia’s response to the Ukrainian situation than that already provided on the Home Affairs website.
No doubt Australia will play an important role as things progress and potentially escalate in the Ukraine. There was no further announcement on Australia’s response to the Ukrainian situation than that already provided on the Home Affairs website.
Finally, a very big thanks to our sponsor MA Financial Group for hosting the private lunch event with the Minister.
Regards,
Peter Vymys
Chief Executive Officer