Australian Government Urged to Re-Consider Immigration Laws
21/05/2008 by Charlotte Norman
Australia's Department for Immigration and Citizenship is being urged by government officials to reassess their current immigration laws, in the wake of racist backlash in other countries.
The current dramas in South Africa, where immigrants are being subjected to violent acts are causing concerns for some Australian officials. Although no such tension has arisen in the country and Australia is currently experiencing its largest ever growth in immigration; it seems that there are fears that the status of the present immigration laws may eventually lead to a negative backlash on public opinion.
Senator Chris Evans is facing pressure from concerned individuals specifically regarding the 457 work visas. Some people feel that in order to prevent any backlash and to maintain a positive perspective the country needs to ensure that the visas are better regulated.
New South Wales Senator Doug Cammeron is the leading advocate for the concerns and plans to address them when entering the Senate on the 1st July.
Cammeron believes that an "increase in foreigners working in the construction, manufacturing and hospitality sectors could create resentment among the community and that the immigrant labour scheme must be properly managed."
In his argument he uses the example of both the U.K and U.S.A. He states that in Britain increased immigration has contributed to a rise in negativity towards foreigners with the British National Party gaining increasing numbers of voters in the recent local elections.
Although an advocate for managed immigration Cammeron says "I am just raising the concerns that have been raised right around the world and we can't be immune from what academics and the press are saying is happening all around the world."
He hopes that by developing better ways of monitoring visas and migrants then Australia will be able to manage the growing issue of immigration better, subsequently preventing a trend of negativity from developing in the country.
Speaking out about the concerns raised, Senator Evans, Minister at the department for Immigration disagrees with the need to reassess the laws. He says that there is no need for concern, "Australia is a country of migrants and it is a country that has accepted large scale migration over the years - provided people settle well and provided that people are convinced that people coming into the country are needed for the growth of the economy, and that they are not undercutting Australian wages and conditions."
Erin Ryan an Australian Immigration Worker for Global Visas (www.globalvisas.com) also believes that the issue will not affect Australia. She says "Immigration is very strong in the country with many people seeking to migrate under the news laws, in particular as skilled workers. Australia is a global economy and its people recognise that such movement is going to generate a positive effect. Australia has always been a friendly and accommodating place for foreigners to go to and I'm sure that this will continue especially amongst the current growth which it is experiencing."
News of this debate has emerged after recent reports highlighted the growing popularity of Australia as a country to live and work in. Figures show that due to Australia's ageing population and skills shortages, an estimated number of new immigrants will grow to include over 300,000 new skilled workers entering the country in the coming years.
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