Sheelagh Blanckenberg
3rd October 2009, 12:40 PM
Australia's migration experts will take centre stage in Melbourne next week as migration agents meet to discuss changes to the way people from other countries are allowed to live, work and study in Australia in a changing economic, political and globally-aware climate.
The Migration 2009 Conference will attract more than 150 professionals to The Sebel, Albert Park from 8-11 October 2009, including migration advice professionals, lawyers, Commonwealth and State government agencies, skills assessment authorities, education providers, and community and refugee organisations.
CEO of the Migration Institute of Australia, Maurene Horder, said the conference is attracting a range of professionals who are at the forefront of the immigration debate, such as Accredited Immigration Law Specialists and migration academics.
"Immigration policy has been going through unprecedented change. People’s lives are being affected by the many recent amendments to all classes of visas. This conference will explore the economic and social impacts.” Ms Horder said.
“This is happening at the same time as an increasing focus on international students. It is time for change in the profession and we’ll also be putting ethics and professional practice of migration agents under the microscope.”
SEE: http://mia.org.au/latest-news/Media-Release-Migration-2009-Conference-265.html for more information.
A number of senior Immigration department people are to attend - even the Minister Chris Evans has been invited (not sure whether he will accept or not :) ).
Let's hope that questions are raised about the sweeping changes made to GSM priority processing and the impact these changes have made, not only to the lives of the visa applicants but to the country as a whole. In my view, the way these changes have been handled are a disgrace and the Minister should be held accountable and made to explain.
The Migration 2009 Conference will attract more than 150 professionals to The Sebel, Albert Park from 8-11 October 2009, including migration advice professionals, lawyers, Commonwealth and State government agencies, skills assessment authorities, education providers, and community and refugee organisations.
CEO of the Migration Institute of Australia, Maurene Horder, said the conference is attracting a range of professionals who are at the forefront of the immigration debate, such as Accredited Immigration Law Specialists and migration academics.
"Immigration policy has been going through unprecedented change. People’s lives are being affected by the many recent amendments to all classes of visas. This conference will explore the economic and social impacts.” Ms Horder said.
“This is happening at the same time as an increasing focus on international students. It is time for change in the profession and we’ll also be putting ethics and professional practice of migration agents under the microscope.”
SEE: http://mia.org.au/latest-news/Media-Release-Migration-2009-Conference-265.html for more information.
A number of senior Immigration department people are to attend - even the Minister Chris Evans has been invited (not sure whether he will accept or not :) ).
Let's hope that questions are raised about the sweeping changes made to GSM priority processing and the impact these changes have made, not only to the lives of the visa applicants but to the country as a whole. In my view, the way these changes have been handled are a disgrace and the Minister should be held accountable and made to explain.