Media Centre
Media Releases – 2009
This section offers media releases published by the Minister in 2009.
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November
November
- 6 November - New citizenship resource for schools
October
- 26 October - Explanation sinks like a stone
- 23 October - Government committed to mandatory detention on Christmas Island
- 19 October - New citizenship test begins
- 13 October - Liberals bereft of immigration policy
- 9 October - Another baseless claim from opposition immigration spokeswoman
- 9 October - Minister announces new immigration advisory council
- 2 October - Indonesian boat arrivals returned
September
- 25 September - Immigration focus at community forum in Sydney’s inner west
- 22 September - Temporary migrants and visitors factored in population figures
- 21 September - Senator Evans to attend Somali festivities in Melbourne
- 20 September - Forrest Highway opens to traffic
- 17 September - Citizenship amendments pass through Parliament
- 17 September - New citizenship test to assess knowledge of civics
- 16 September - Australia celebrates Australian Citizenship Day
- 15 September - Extra funding to combat people smuggling
- 14 September - New worker protection laws will allow tax checks
- 9 September - Protection for victims of torture and inhumane treatment
- 8 September - Detention debt for immigration detainees abolished
- 6 September - Market rates for temporary skilled overseas workers
- 3 September - Policy on irregular maritime arrivals remains firm
- 1 September - Australia delivers on refugee commitments
August
- 31 August - Citizenship changes for elite athletes and frequent flyers
- 31 August - Migration program targets overseas workers Australia needs
- 22 August - International cooperation to combat immigration fraud
- 20 August - Student visa checks strengthened
- 18 August - Rudd Government committed to Christmas Island detention
- 14 August - MCIMA Communique
- 13 August - Advisory board appointed to guide new migration agent regulator
- 12 August - Big drop in temporary overseas workers
- 7 August - Call for tolerance and understanding
- 3 August - High level talks with the Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs
July
- 29 July - Overseas workers to supplement not replace local work force
- 19 July - Immigration Minister to visit India and Sri Lanka
- 9 July - Exploitation of foreign workers is unacceptable
- 3 July - Minister officially opens new WA office
- 1 July - Australia jails 11 people smugglers
- 1 July - Assessment changes for skilled migrants from July 1
- 1 July - New migration agent authority commences
- 1 July - Migration changes from 1 July
June
- 28 June - Christmas Island will cope with boat arrivals
- 25 June - Bill to abolish detention debt passes first hurdle
- 25 June - Detention values to be enshrined in law
- 20 June - Commitment to helping the forgotten refugees
- 19 June - Minister meets Indian community in Melbourne
- 17 June - Improved support for trafficking victims
- 17 June - UNHCR report confirms worldwide increase in asylum seekers
- 16 June - Australia remains committed to protecting refugees
- 15 June - Refugees' studied approach to success
- 14 June - Refugees have freedom from fear in Australia
- 12 June - Minister Opens New Migrant Resource Centre in Clarkson
- 10 June - New appointments to Migration and Refugee Review Tribunals
- 6 June - Sweet sounds of citizenship for WA conductor
- 3 June - Minister welcomes fine for underpaying Chinese chef
May
- 29 May - Funding to help settle new West Australians
- 26 May - Extradition of alleged people smuggler
- 25 May - Temporary overseas worker numbers falling
- 19 May - Government condemns acid attack and calls for calm
- 15 May - Rudd Government values improve immigration detention policies
- 15 May - Minister congratulates department's national online award
- 15 May - Terms of reference for migration and disability inquiry announced
- 12 May - Budget 2009–10
- 7 May - Fake migration document racket uncovered
- 3 May - Minister grants permanent visa to Buddhaholy
April
- 18 April - Third people smuggler jailed
- 14 April - Regional cooperation to strengthen borders
- 1 April - Government announces changes to 457 visa program
March
- 24 March - Migration agency fraud racket uncovered
- 20 March - Australia celebrates Harmony Day 2009
- 18 March - Detention debt regime to be scrapped
- 16 March - Government cuts migration program
- 14 March - Douglas Wood's rescuers given safety in Australia
- 12 March - Meat industry should source local labour first
- 11 March - Immigration compliance operation cracks fraud racket
- 8 March - Australians urged to consider plight of refugee women
- 6 March - Jailing of people smuggler sends strong message
- 3 March - Work and Holiday visa arrangement with Indonesia
- 3 March - Australia strengthens cooperation with Indonesia on border security
- 1 March - Ministers commemorate St David's Day
February
- 24 February - Multicultural Advisory Council to discuss diversity and tolerance
- 23 February - A strengthened commitment to our international obligations
- 23 Febuary - Funding to support displaced people vulnerable to smugglers
- 17 Febuary - Greater transparency for refugee and migration tribunals
- 12 February - Government releases draft employer obligations for overseas workers
- 10 February - West Perth business awarded $154 000 grant to develop innovative project
- 9 February - New body to regulate migration agents
- 9 February - Senate pays respects to victims of Victorian bushfires
January
- 26 January - Chinese New Year celebrates on Australia Day
- 26 January - South Africans choose Australia at the cricket
- 26 January - Queensland welcomes 3400 new citizens in 60th anniversary year
- 26 January - WA to host nation's largest citizenship ceremony
- 26 January - Prime Minister welcomes Australia's newest citizens in nation's capital
- 26 January - Tasmania welcomes 220 new citizens on Australia Day
- 26 January - NSW to welcome more than 2800 new citizens
- 26 January - Historic welcome for new citizens as Australia celebrates
- 26 January - Northern Territory to welcome new citizens as Australia celebrates
- 26 January - Australia Day 2009: the nation celebrates
- 25 January - Sea safety advocate is Australia's Local Hero
- 16 January - Asylum seekers on Christmas Island granted protection
- 13 January - Australia and Vietnam sign information pact on migration