Media Centre
Media Releases - 2008
This section offers media releases published by the minister in 2008.
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
December
- 17 December - Migration program gives priority to those with skills most needed
- 17 December - Multicultural experts to further Australia's strength in diversity
- 5 December - New appointments to Migration and Refugee Review Tribunals
- 4 December - New laws to protect overseas workers pass Parliament
- 3 December - Statement on Mr Aminov
- 3 December - Suspected people smuggling boat intercepted
- 1 December - Government welcomes bipartisan report on immigration detention
November
- 28 November - Unauthorised boat arrivals in Western Australia
- 26 November - Parliamentary Committee to investigate migration and disability
- 26 November - States urged to support regulations for health waiver
- 26 November - Statement by Senator Evans on Dr Bernhard Moeller
- 24 November - White Ribbon ambassadors speak out on violence against women
- 24 November - Canada joins the APEC Business Travel Card scheme
- 22 November - New Citizenship test to focus on responsibilities and privileges
- 20 November - Group at sea rescued by Navy
- 14 November - Integrity review of temporary overseas worker scheme released
- 13 November - Australia and Indonesia improve immigration cooperation
- 10 November - Government gives assurances on measures to protect overseas workers
October
- 30 October - Australian apprentices gain from skilled migrants
- 29 October - More work opportunities for young Aussies in UK
- 22 October - Liberal Party’s border security deceit
- 20 October - Australia steps up fight against passport fraud
- 17 October - People smuggling charges affirm strong border message
- 9 October - People smuggling charge sends strong warning
- 7 October - People smuggling vessel intercepted
- 7 October - Australia’s brain drain biggest on record
- 3 October - Illegal workers picked up on WA strawberry farm
- 2 October - Unauthorised boat arrivals arrive on Christmas Island
- 2 October - eVisitor visa to strengthen Australia-EU relations
September
- 30 September - Joint agreement to protect overseas workers in NSW
- 30 September - Unauthorised boat arrivals intercepted off Ashmore
- 24 September - Progress made in long-term immigration detention cases
- 24 September - New laws to protect overseas workers
- 23 September - Visa for Pacific Island seasonal worker scheme
- 22 September - Meat industry employers warned over foreign labour
- 18 September - Six illegal workers detained in Adelaide
- 17 September - Adding to the Australian family on Citizenship Day 2008
- 17 September - Celebrating Australian Citizenship Day 2008
- 14 September - Alleged sex offender nabbed through biometrics sharing
- 4 September - Minister moves to protect overseas workers
- 2 September - People-smuggler sentenced to five years
August
- 28 August - International travel net tightens on child support evaders
- 22 August - Migration program boosts economy and eases skills shortage
- 15 August - Australia helps refugees rebuild their lives
- 9 August - Work and holiday visa arrangements with Thailand expand
- 7 August - Australia and Malaysia strengthen immigration cooperation
- 7 August - New work and holiday visa arrangement with Indonesia
- 6 August - Indonesian meeting focuses on border security enhancement
- 5 August - Talks to strengthen regional border security measures
- 1 August - New tribunal members face merit-based selection
July
- 31 July - Australia and Chile treble work and holiday visa program
- 29 July - Labor unveils new risk-based detention policy
- 25 July - Illegal workers nabbed in Penola
- 25 July - Australian aid for international humanitarian projects
- 22 July - Skilled foreign workers meeting shortage
- 18 July - Immigration operations target illegal workers
- 11 July - New Centres of Excellence to process temporary work visas
- 9 July - Ministerial intervention powers under review
- 8 July - Panel of experts to advise on changes to 457 visa program
- 4 July - MCIMA Communique
- 4 July - Minister urges states to boost sponsored skilled migration
- 2 July - Minister welcomes fine for migrant worker exploitation
- 1 July - Working holiday extension a boon for backpackers and employers
June
- 30 June - Proposed new laws to reform 457 visa program
- 26 June - Compliance operations snare nine illegal workers in WA and SA
- 25 June - No plans to pay Centrelink benefits to illegal immigrants
- 20 June - Australia balances refugee priorities
- 18 June - Grants to help refugees with citizenship test
- 15 June - Refugee Week: A Place to Call Home
- 13 June - Acting Prime Minister meets the Dalai Lama
May
- 26 May - Regional cooperation on border security
- 23 May - Long-term detention review completed
- 23 May - Minimum Salary Level increase for 457 visa holders
- 20 May - New technology strengthening Australia's borders
- 15 May - End to unjust visa will help refugees rebuild lives
- 13 May - Budget 2008-09
- 8 May - Illegal workers caught in Riverina operation
- 7 May - Labor committed to fair treatment of asylum seekers
- 7 May - Compliance operation detains five illegals in WA
- 5 May - Government to implement industry report on skilled migration
- 2 May - Compensation settlement for wrongfully detained citizen
- 2 May - Retirement of Senator Robert Ray
April
- 30 April - New visa to attract superyachts to Australia
- 28 April - Citizenship test snapshot results
- 28 April - Independent committee to review citizenship test
- 25 April - Foreign students gain automatic work rights in Australia
- 23 April - Research finds immigration makes Australia stronger
- 17 April - Nine illegal workers located on SA fruit farm
- 14 April - IR expert to oversee temporary skilled migration review
- 11 April - Compliance operations snare 16 illegal workers in WA and SA
- 8 April - Protecting Iraqis who have supported Australian troops
- 8 April - Pilgrims urged to lodge World Youth Day visa applications now
- 4 April - Compliance operation picks up 13 illegal workers in North Queensland
- 4 April - Minister welcomes positive outcome from abattoir meeting
March
- 27 March - Skilled workers help migration lead population growth
- Skilled workers lead overseas migration to ACT
- Skilled workers help migration lead NSW population growth
- Skilled workers lead overseas migration to NT
- Skilled migrants boost Queensland population
- Skilled migration leads SA population growth
- Skilled workers lead overseas migration to Tasmania
- Skilled migrants boost Victorian population growth
- Britons help migration lead WA population growth
- 26 March - Minister welcomes interim report on skilled migration
- 19 March - Employers urged to check visas for harvest workers online
- 13 March - Expo to lure skilled British workers down under
- 13 March - Compliance operation picks up 14 illegal workers in South Australia
- 12 March - Minister welcomes fine for migrant worker exploitation
- 12 March - Minister to review long-term detention cases
- 10 March - Special citizenship ceremony to mark Albert Hall's 80th
- 7 March - Cornelia Rau’s settlement offer finalised
- 7 March - Immigration and AFP work to break sex trafficking syndicate
February
- 26 February - Biometrics to play key role in border security
- 23 February - Permanent visa granted to Robert Jovicic
- 20 February - New process for temporary business visa labour agreements
- 19 February - Settlement offer accepted by Cornelia Rau's lawyers
- 17 February - Immigration package to ease skills shortage
- 8 February - Last refugees leave Nauru
- 7 February - Minister refuses protection visa for people smuggler
- 6 February - Happy New Year greetings for the Year of the Rat
- 1 February - SZLDG v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
January
- 30 January - Transcript of interview with Radio 6PR
- 29 January - Citizenship Test results published
- 26 January - Australia welcomes more than 14 000 new citizens
- 17 January - Ministers announce immigration cooperation initiatives
- 16 January - Haneef visa decision will not be appealed
- 15 January - Minister to visit Indonesia
- 11 January - Olympic hopeful to become new Australian citizen
- 11 January - Sri Lankans granted humanitarian entry
- 9 January - Minister welcomes HREOC report
- 2 January - Citizenship test arrangements