More workers face deportation to a bleak future
Sydney Morning Herald, October 18, 2007

Eighteen Mongolian timber workers face financial ruin after the Federal Government banned their Queensland employer from using foreign labour after finding that he had breached the rules of the skilled worker visa scheme.

The workers face being deported to China within a month after the Immigration Department told NK Collins in Toowoomba that it was banned from using the controversial 457 visa scheme for three years.That decision followed a Herald investigation in August into the death of one of the company’s Chinese employees, Guo Jian Dong, who was killed by a falling tree while felling cypress pine on a remote property in western Queensland in June.

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For all major visa programs: From early 2008, the capacity of migrants to integrate into the Australian community is to be formally assessed through an interview by Immigration Department officers.

According to the Department of Immigration if any Visa applicant who is assessed as representing an “unacceptable integration challenge” fails their interview, they will be refused permission to migrate to Australia.

Each year, the Australian government sets the size and composition of the immigration program, including the refugee and humanitarian component.

In deciding the composition of the refugee and humanitarian policy it considers who is in the greatest need of assistance.
Various groups are consulted, including representatives of non – government refugee organisations and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Since 1945, Australia has welcomed more than 6.6 million people from all over the world, including around 675 000 refugee and humanitarian arrivals.Currently, according to the Department of Immigration, there are an estimated 20 million refugees globally and in absolute numbers, Australia takes more refugees than any country other than the United States.

Since 2001, the largest group of refugees and humanitarian entrants have been from Africa. The proportion reached 70 per cent of the Government’s total intake in 2003-4 and 2004-5.

Data on the pre-migration experiences of humanitarian entrants the Department indicates there was a significant increase in the levels of disadvantage.

For example, of entrants arriving in 2005-06:

• average schooling was 4.3 years compared to 7 years in 2002-03
• 40% had spent time in a refugee camp compared to 15% in 2002-03
• 11% rated their reading ability as good or very good, compared to 27% in 2002-03
• 80% required an interpreter compared to 64% in 2002-03
• 67% were aged under 25 compared to 58% in 2002-03

In 2007, Australia has a growing population of currently 21 million people, with more than 40 per cent of its population either first-generation migrants or their children.

Citizenship hopeful fails new test

The new Australian citizenship test was launched today, with 26 out of 27 people passing the multiple choice exam in Victoria and Queensland.

Transcript
TONY JONES: Australia’s new citizenship test was launched today with 27 people sitting the multiple choice exam in Victoria and Queensland. Many applicants said the test was easy but as Stephanie Ferrier reports, some questions even stumped native-born Australians.

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From 15 October 2007 the Migration Regulations introduce a new requirement. Applicants for permanent and selected temporary Australian visas must sign a statement they will respect Australian values and will comply with Australian law for the duration of their stay in Australia.

Australian refugee groups have criticized tests that require people to answer questions about the nation’s history and culture to qualify to become a citizen. Critics believe the new measures will discriminate against migrants from non-English speaking countries. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.Migrants are being asked a range of questions about Australian history, its political institutions and culture.

To gain Australian citizenship, candidates will have to achieve a pass mark of 60 percent from a random, computer-generated list of 20 questions.

There are sections on what officials call ‘Australian values’, despite the difficulty of reaching a formal definition of these. Prospective citizens are also being quizzed on religion, freedom of speech and gender equality.

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From 1 October 2007 people seeking to become an Australian citizen need to pass a Citizenship test. According to the Department of Immigration a total of 33 people sat the first test at their offices in Queensland and Victoria.

The test is a series of 20 computer-based multiple choice questions sourced from information in the Citizenship Test Resource Book, Becoming an Australian Citizen.

Generally, applicants need to demonstrate:

• at least basic English,
• understand the responsibilities and privileges of being an Australian citizen, and
• a commitment to Australia, its laws, values and community

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The Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) office in the Brisbane CBD have now relocated to their new offices, at

Piccadilly Building at 299 Adelaide Street,
Brisbane, Queensland,
Australia
This is their first move since May 1996.

Their business hours are from 9am–4pm weekdays (except Wednesdays, from 9am–1pm).