http://www.minister.immi.gov.auThu, 23 May 2013 12:31:20 ESTFunnelbackIt has been a great honour to serve as Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for the last two-and-a-half years.2013-02-02 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb193079.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb193079.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today welcomed a record 17 059 people from 145 countries who are becoming Australian citizens as part of Australia Day celebrations.2013-01-26 00:03http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192975.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192975.htmAlmost 100 people will be taking the citizenship pledge in Canberra as part of Australia Day celebrations in the nation's capital - including a special lakeside ceremony where the Prime Minister will welcome new citizens.2013-01-26 00:02http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192971.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192971.htmNew South Wales will welcome almost 3800 new citizens from 113 countries as the state celebrates Australia Day with 115 citizenship ceremonies today, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, said today.2013-01-26 00:02http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192967.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192967.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today welcomed more than 260 new citizens from 41 countries as part of Australia Day celebrations in the Top End.2013-01-26 00:01http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192963.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192963.htmQueensland will welcome almost 5000 new citizens from more than 120 countries - the highest number of new citizens in the country - as the state celebrates Australia Day with 82 special citizenship ceremonies today.2013-01-26 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192955.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192955.htmSouth Australia will welcome almost 1300 new citizens from 77 countries as the state celebrates Australia Day with 38 special citizenship ceremonies.2013-01-26 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192951.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192951.htmTasmania will welcome more than 320 new citizens from 46 countries as the state celebrates with some 20 special Australia Day citizenship ceremonies, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP said today.2013-01-25 23:59http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192959.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192959.htmVictoria will welcome more than 3800 new citizens from 105 countries as the state celebrates Australia Day, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, said today.2013-01-25 23:58http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192943.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192943.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today welcomed more than 2500 new citizens from 92 countries as Western Australia celebrates Australia Day.2013-01-25 23:57http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192939.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192939.htmNSW Indigenous Community Leader is Australia's Local Hero 2013.2013-01-25 19:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192947.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192947.htmA group of Sri Lankan was today returned home on a flight from Christmas Island to Colombo.2013-01-17 16:11http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192839.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2013/cb192839.htmAnother group of Sri Lankans has been returned from Christmas Island to Colombo today, making it more than 700 Sri Lankans to be removed involuntarily since 13 August.2012-12-19 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192584.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192584.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, confirmed today that transfers have resumed to the recommissioned Pontville Immigration Detention Centre in Tasmania.2012-12-17 09:31http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192495.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192495.htmAnother Afghan man has been sent home involuntarily under the returns agreement between Australia and Afghanistan.2012-12-17 09:24http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192491.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192491.htmCommunity groups will soon be able to sponsor people in humanitarian need around the world to find safety and new lives in Australia, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.2012-12-15 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192479.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192479.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP and the Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith MP, today announced that Australia will offer resettlement to Australia to eligible locally engaged Afghan employees at risk of harm due to their employment in support of Australia's mission in Afghanistan.2012-12-13 14:25http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192423.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192423.htmA group of 42 Sri Lankan men has been returned to Colombo today, taking to 682 the number of Sri Lankans removed involuntarily since August 13.2012-12-13 14:12http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192419.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192419.htmScott Morrison has shown yet again that Tony Abbott and the Coalition are more concerned about gaining cheap political points than stopping the flow of boats and saving lives.2012-12-10 12:42http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192259.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192259.htmMore than 600 Sri Lankans have been returned to Sri Lanka involuntarily since 13 August, as another group was removed to Colombo today.2012-12-06 15:39http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192237.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192237.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today announced the first elements of the assistance package for Manus Province, comprising road upgrades, improved education and medical infrastructure, and support for economic development.2012-12-05 09:37http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192199.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192199.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, is today travelling to Papua New Guinea (PNG) for talks with the PNG Government and to visit the regional processing centre on Manus Island.2012-12-04 11:28http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192179.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192179.htmAnother group of 50 Sri Lankan men has been returned to Colombo today, taking to 593 the number of Sri Lankans removed involuntarily since August 13.2012-11-30 14:25http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192089.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192089.htmYoung Australians and Uruguayans will now be able to enjoy an extended holiday in each other's countries thanks to a new work and holiday agreement, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.2012-11-29 14:01http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192100.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192100.htmA group of 50 Sri Lankan men has been returned to Colombo today, taking to 543 the number of Sri Lankans removed involuntarily since 13 August.2012-11-27 14:23http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192031.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192031.htmLegislation cracking downing on employers who hire illegal workers passed through the House of Representatives today, despite astounding hypocrisy from the Coalition in opposing the Bill, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, said today.2012-11-27 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192039.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192039.htmTony Abbott's shameful backflip to cut back Australia's refugee intake is a blow for desperate refugees in camps in Africa, the Middle East and Asia who can't afford to pay a people smuggler, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, said today.2012-11-23 16:33http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191992.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191992.htmFive groups of Sri Lankan families have been returned to Sri Lanka today as part of the 11th involuntary removal this month.2012-11-23 15:50http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191988.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191988.htmNew measures to help victims of family violence on provisional partner visas begin tomorrow, November 24, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, and the Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins MP, said today.2012-11-23 15:34http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192007.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192007.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today launched longer tourist visas for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents in recognition of the valuable role they play in their children and grandchildren's lives.2012-11-23 15:28http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192003.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb192003.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today launched a new visa designed to encourage significant migration investment into Australia.2012-11-23 14:40http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191999.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191999.htmAnother group of Sri Lankan men has been returned to Sri Lanka today - the tenth involuntary removal this month.2012-11-22 17:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191960.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191960.htmA group of 100 Sri Lankan men has been sent home to Sri Lanka today - the ninth involuntary removal this month and the largest return to Colombo to date.2012-11-21 14:10http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191887.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191887.htmPeople who arrived by boat post-13 August and all future arrivals will have the 'no advantage' principle applied to their cases onshore, even if they are not transferred offshore for regional processing, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.2012-11-21 14:10http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191883.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191883.htmThe Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today announced the first transfer of irregular maritime arrivals - made up entirely of family groups - to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG).2012-11-21 14:10http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191879.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191879.htmAnother group of Sri Lankan men has been sent home to Sri Lanka today - the eighth involuntary removal this month.2012-11-19 16:06http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191863.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191863.htmA group of 50 Sri Lankan men has been sent home to Sri Lanka from Christmas Island to Colombo today.2012-11-18 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191839.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191839.htmAnother group of Sri Lankan men has been sent home to Sri Lanka from Christmas Island to Colombo today.2012-11-15 15:11http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191823.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191823.htmA group of 30 Sri Lankan men have been sent home to Sri Lanka from Christmas Island today - the fifth involuntary removal to take place in under a week.2012-11-13 15:23http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191777.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191777.htmAustralia will begin talks with the governments of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Poland, and the Slovak Republic on establishing reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangements, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.2012-11-13 12:02http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191761.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191761.htmA group of 36 Sri Lankan single adult men was returned to Sri Lanka from Christmas Island late yesterday - the fourth involuntarily removal this week.2012-11-11 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191683.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191683.htmA group of 33 Sri Lankan single adult men has been returned to Sri Lanka from Christmas Island today - the third involuntarily removal in as many days.2012-11-09 16:43http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191643.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191643.htmA group of 30 Sri Lankan single adult men has been returned to Sri Lanka on a charter flight to Colombo from Christmas Island today - the second involuntarily removal in two days.2012-11-08 17:06http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191594.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191594.htmAnother group of Sri Lankan nationals has been returned involuntarily to Sri Lanka on a charter flight to Colombo from Christmas Island today.2012-11-07 15:33http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191499.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191499.htmAustralia and Papua New Guinea will seek to further strengthen their close relationship with the introduction of a special electronic visa arrangement, the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, and Papua New Guinea's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Rimbink Pato, announced today.2012-11-07 12:50http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191487.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191487.htmA group of 26 Sri Lankan nationals has been returned to Sri Lanka on a charter flight that left from Christmas Island late yesterday.2012-11-02 00:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191395.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191395.htmThe government will make it simpler for people to apply for a specialist temporary work visa, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, and the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Deregulation, David Bradbury MP, announced today.2012-11-01 12:57http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191403.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191403.htmMinister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice Jason Clare and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen today announced a trial extending Australia's automated border processing system SmartGate to US travellers.2012-11-01 11:38http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191399.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191399.htmMore small and medium-sized businesses will now have access to the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.2012-11-01 10:00http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191387.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191387.htmThe government will act to ensure a fairer, more flexible and individualised approach to people wanting to migrate to Australia who have a disability or health issues, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.2012-10-31 16:23http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191379.htmhttp://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/cb/2012/cb191379.htm