The much awaited skilled occupation list was announced today (17 May 2010).The following extract from the accompanying fact sheet is a fair summary in my view:
"The current SOL has more than 400 occupations. The new list of occupations, which was announced by the Minister on 17 May 2010, includes 181 occupations. The new list is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) website at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/whats-new.htm
It is intended the new list of occupations would deliver a general skilled migration (GSM) program more tightly focused on delivering high-value nation building skills. The new list is intended to align the GSM program with Australia’s overall workforce development strategy, also developed by Skills Australia. The new list is focused on targeting specialised occupations that require a long lead time of formal education and training. It includes managerial, professional, associate-professional and trade occupations. The list of occupations will be reviewed annually but it is expected that it will be relatively stable over time."
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My comment is not about the SOL but about Tamil asylum seekers. I hesitate to make this comment because of the use to which it may be put and the company in which I may inadvertently find myself. I do not support mandatory detention. I think the best approach to any refugee "problem" is set out in Fr Frank Brennan's book, "Tampering with Asylum". However, this has to be said: the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu State Parliament, as recently as November 2008, guaranteed compassionate treatment to all Tamil refugees. Sri Lanka is a mere 31 kilometres from India (at the shortest point). Colombo, Sri Lanka is 101 kilometres from Chennai, India by air. Colombo is about 4,000 kilometres, even to Christmas Island, across open ocean. Sri Lankan Tamil refugees will find in Tamil Nadu a community sharing their faith, culture, language and sympathies. Admittedly Tamil Nadu is one of the poorest parts of India. Nevertheless, Tamil Nadu is the safest place for Tamil refugees on earth.
ReplyDeleteI decided to allow your comment even though it is out of context.
ReplyDeleteTwo social justice resources which often cover refugee issues are Eureka Street (and Fr Brennan is a regular contributor) and also the Edmund Rice Centre.