http://www.minister.immi.gov.auFri, 24 May 2013 14:24:48 ESTFunnelbackA further 16 Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals have been returned to Colombo after failing to meet Australia's international obligations, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor said today.2013-05-23 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203539.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203539.htmImmigration compliance officers have located 11 illegal workers and visa overstayers in a series of compliance operations in the Hunter and north-west NSW regions.2013-05-23 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203519.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203519.htmMinister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor today launched a campaign to raise awareness of new measures aimed at stamping out the practice of hiring illegal workers.2013-05-23 15:09http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203503.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203503.htmA further 31 Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals are being returned to Colombo after failing to meet Australia's international obligations, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor said today.2013-05-22 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203419.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203419.htmOverseas workers holding 457 visas now have a new online resource to inform them of their rights and obligations in the workplace, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Brendan O'Connor MP, announced today.2013-05-22 15:32http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203403.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203403.htmImmigration compliance officers detained seven people on a farm in Stanthorpe in connection with the suspected supply of illegal workers in the region, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor said today.2013-05-16 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203259.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203259.htmA further 58 Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals have been returned to Colombo after failing to meet Australia's international obligations, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor announced today.2013-05-16 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203199.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203199.htmImmigration compliance officers detained eight people in Victoria's Gippsland region in connection with the suspected supply of illegal workers in the region, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor said today.2013-05-16 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203263.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203263.htmThe Gillard Government has now implemented another recommendation of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor said today.2013-05-16 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203267.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203267.htmThe Gillard Government will continue its commitment to providing refuge for the world's most vulnerable people by accepting 20 000 people through the humanitarian program in 2013-14.2013-05-14 19:58http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203125.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203125.htmAustralia's migration program will be maintained at 190 000 places in 2013-14 to help fill skills shortages and reunite Australian families, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor announced today.2013-05-14 19:32http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203159.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203159.htmThe Gillard Government will implement additional measures in this Budget to combat the dangerous people smuggling trade.2013-05-14 19:31http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203163.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo203163.htmMinister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor today said that bridging visas may also apply to families who arrive by boat and seek asylum.2013-05-07 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202819.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202819.htmAustralia's first significant investor visa has been granted to a successful Chinese toy manufacturer and his young family, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor announced today.2013-05-03 16:09http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202683.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202683.htmMinister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor today said from Colombo his trip has reinforced the Gillard Government's commitment to deepening Australia's relationship with Sri Lanka.2013-05-03 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202699.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202699.htmIn December 2012, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship prepared a discussion paper for the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration regarding changes in the Australian labour market and the integrity of the 457 visa program.2013-05-02 17:39http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202339.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202339.htmMinister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor will travel to Colombo this week as part of the Gillard Government's continuing commitment to deepening Australia's relationship with Sri Lanka.2013-05-01 17:11http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202305.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202305.htmNew data released today shows the number of the lowest paid 457 visa holders has almost doubled when compared to the same time last year.2013-04-28 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202119.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202119.htmA further group of Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals has been flown home from Christmas Island to Colombo, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor announced today.2013-04-26 18:37http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202099.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo202099.htmTony Abbott's turnback policy on boats is not only unworkable, it is now threatening regional cooperation on the global challenge of people smuggling.2013-04-23 10:34http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195527.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195527.htmTony Abbott has confessed he is happy to risk the safety of our servicemen and women, admitting his policy to turn back boats is dangerous.2013-04-22 13:47http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195484.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195484.htmThe Gillard Government has returned more than 1000 Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals after a group of 39 asylum seekers was returned to Colombo today.2013-04-18 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195419.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195419.htmImmigration compliance officers detained 14 suspected illegal farm workers in a single operation in northern Victoria's Goulburn Valley region, near Shepparton, overnight.2013-04-17 16:18http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195379.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195379.htmTony Abbott is abandoning his promise to 'stop the boats', refusing to say if a Coalition Government would be able to fulfil their commitment.2013-04-11 15:56http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195163.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo195163.htmMinister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor has today announced another group of Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals were flown home from Christmas Island to Colombo.2013-04-04 10:27http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194729.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194729.htmJust over a month ago, the Gillard government announced changes to tighten up the 457 visa program for temporary skilled workers. The reaction was predictable and extreme.2013-04-04 14:15http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194879.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194879.htmLatest monthly figures show a continuing spike in the 457 visa subclass, with 21.5 per cent more primary visa holders in Australia in February 2013 compared to February 2012.2013-04-04 10:09http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194799.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194799.htmYoung people from Australia and Uruguay now have the opportunity to visit and work in each other's countries through a work and holiday visa arrangement which came into effect this week.2013-04-03 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194804.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194804.htmMinister for Immigration and Citizenship Minister Brendan O'Connor and Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced the region has taken a significant step forward in combatting people smuggling and human trafficking.2013-04-02 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194719.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194719.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and the Hon Geoff Lyons MP - Member for Bass.2013-03-27 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194605.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194605.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation and Senator the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite - Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and for Pacific Island Affairs.2013-03-26 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194609.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194609.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 13:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194349.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194349.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 16:29http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194341.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194341.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 12:44http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194367.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194367.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 12:52http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194359.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194359.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 12:47http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194357.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194357.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 12:51http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194381.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194381.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 12:45http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194363.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194363.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 12:50http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194345.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194345.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP - Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Senator the Hon Kate Lundy - Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation.2013-03-20 13:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194353.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194353.htmAn Egyptian national who falsely claimed to be a Sudanese refugee has been convicted of migration fraud following an extensive investigation by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.2013-03-18 09:23http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194299.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194299.htmJoint media release with Brendan O'Connor MP -Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Bill Shorten MP - Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.2013-03-18 14:06http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194313.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194313.htmWe've always known the experts don't believe the Opposition's policy on asylum seekers will work.2013-03-14 17:02http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194205.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194205.htmThe Federal Government has implemented another of the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers by awarding contracts to two service providers to assist people in regional processing countries with their protection claims. The successful tenders are Craddock Murray Neumann Lawyers and Playfair Visa and Migration Services.2013-03-12 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194169.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194169.htmCutting Red Tape for Visitor Visas2013-03-12 19:59http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194165.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194165.htmLatest figures show that the number of 457 visa applications jumped by 9.5 per cent this year, while the number of 457 visas granted grew by 6.6 per cent.2013-03-09 15:36http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194119.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194119.htmThe first transferee to arrive at the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre in November 2012 has abandoned his claim for protection and returned home to Iraq.2013-03-07 15:23http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194064.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194064.htmTony Abbott today made it clear that not only does he oppose tightening up laws to give Australian workers the first chance at Australian jobs, he wants to unwind the protections already in place.2013-03-05 15:55http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194019.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo194019.htmThe Opposition today continued its demonisation of asylum seekers, even as it conceded its plan to set up a notification register of asylum seekers in the community was unworkable.2013-03-03 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo193959.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo193959.htmYesterday I thought the Opposition had hit a new low by likening people seeking asylum in Australia to paedophiles.2013-03-01 17:16http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo193943.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/bo/2013/bo193943.htm