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Modern Migration Australia Newsletter

Welcome back! Welcome to our August edition of MMA news. The Modern Migration Australia team has been working hard, alongside our clients, and providing lots of advice since the Federal Government announced changes to its annual budget. We are also pleased to announce a new partnership with the University of Western Australia, assisting the UWA Guild with international student visa inquiries and providing post graduation options for international students. We are looking forward to working with the UWA guild and forging a strong relationship.

Enjoy reading our feature articles this month. If you have any comments or feedback we would love to hear from you. Email us on admin@mmavisa.com.au or add us on Facebook and Twitter.

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We hear you!

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MMA NEWS AUGUST 2014

BREAKING NEWS Corrupt DIBP officer ran a $3 million visa

racket – An Old Story Revisited

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The Sydney Morning Herald released information on a corrupt DIBP official, who, along with her husband, ran a $3 million visa racket, which included more than 1000 fraudulent visa applications. The former DIBP employee is accused of supplying government information and equipment to an illegal racket, run by her husband. The SMH broke news of the couple fleeing the country with more than AUD $1 million, after Federal Agents raided their home in October 2011. More than $500,000 in cash was found during the raid on the couple’s home, as well as a migration forgery operation, complete with several official departmental stamps and more than 1300 folders linked to general skilled migration claims ''with suspected false statements''. However, before charges could be laid, the couple fled the country, after the Department of Immigration failed to seize the couple’s passports or ensure criminal charges were promptly laid, despite “secret briefings” from the DIBP, where investigators believed the former employee should be charged for dealing ‘with proceeds of crime of a value exceeding $100,000', which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in jail. This inaction by the Department has been criticized in the media. The couple took AUD 1.2 million and fled to India, where they are now living in Delhi. The Australian

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authorities are attempting to recover the $1.2 million, which is believed to be the proceeds of crime. The allegations that the DIBP failed to respond, or act appropriately is not the only issue the Department is being probed on. Fairfax media has revealed issues with Government bodies issuing Migration Agent Licenses, in the last 6 months, to people previously identified as corrupt and involved in bribing DIBP officials. The Department has also, allegedly, failed to investigate evidence of entrenched migration fraud on some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects. These allegations over the Departments inaction and inappropriate dealings has led the current Minister, Scott Morrison, demanding an urgent report from the department, responding to the allegations of widespread visa fraud and migration crime. For Sydney Morning Herald story see: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/visa-fraud-suspects-fled-after-wiring-1m-overseas-20140807-3dbmu.html

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MMA NEWS AUGUST 2014

Australia’s shameful laws How the Migration Act discriminates against

people with disabilities

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outrage sparked a parliamentary inquiry into the law. However, the law has not been reformed and the Migration Act 1958 remains exempt from the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. This blatant discrimination flies in the face of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has been ratified by Australia. Under the convention, state parties are obliged to recognize the rights of people with disabilities to have the freedom to choose their residence, on an equal basis with others. This right is clearly breached under the Migration Act.

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Australia’s Migration Act 1958 has been deemed archaic and out of touch. It is also highly discriminatory if you are disabled. Under the Act, people who suffer from a disability, including children, are automatically refused permanent residency. The rationale behind this boils down to prejudicial thinking about people with disabilities, and that they are a burden on Australian taxpayers. In 2008, there was public outrage over the laws when German-born Dr Moeller was denied permanent residency because his 13 year old son has Down Syndrome. The public

What’s on in August……. Chevron City to Surf for Activ – 31 August

Richard Avedon “People” exhibition at Art Gallery of WA – all of August

Perth Winter Arts Festival – see program guide

Israeli Film Festival at Cinema Paradiso 28 August – 7 September

Home is where my heart is exhibition, 192 William St – until 17 August

Perth Poetry Festival 14-17 August

Perth Science Festival 16 August

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MMA NEWS AUGUST 2014

Changes to the Western Australian skilled migration occupation list released

Applicants who have an occupation identified on the Western Australian skilled migration occupation list (WASMOL) may be eligible for Western Australian State nomination for either:

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)

Occupations are categorized in WASMOL as Schedule 1 or Schedule 2. The changes have seen a reduction in the number of roles listed as Schedule 1 – effectively not requiring the applicant to be employed in WA or have a job offer) and a substantial increase in occupations requiring the applicant to meet the Schedule 2 requirements. The complete list can be found at:

DID YOU KNOW? All international students in Australia must have a health insurance policy that covers them from the moment they arrive in Australia until they leave or move to a different visa subclass.

Thank you If you have any issues you want covered in the next edition, or more information on a topic please contact us on admin@mmavisa.com.au

And don’t forget to check out our blog at www.mmavisa.com.au

MMA NEWS AUGUST 2014

Thanks to the Joel and the team at National Resources Review for our wonderful full-page advertisement. National Resources Review is a satisfied past customer of MMA. If you would like to know more about the National Resources Review you can go to their website http://nationalresourcesreview.com.au/