New Visa Scheme for Australia
The Government tasked the Department of Immigration and Border Protection with transforming Australia's visa system to make it easier to understand, easier to navigate and more responsive to our economic, social and security interests. The visa system is highly complex, with 99 individual visa types. The Department is seeking submissions on visa simplification. The Department has released a policy consultation paper to support stakeholders in developing their response. Due 15 September 2017. More...

Five people smuggled to Australia by boat in first landing in three years
Two men are charged with people smuggling after a boat made it to an island in the Torres Strait, just weeks after the Government boasted of the success of its Sovereign Borders Operation (30 August 2017). More...

Nothing 'un-Australian' about human rights, the Constitution and the rule of law
The Immigration Minister's attack on lawyers and law firms as 'un-Australian' for providing pro bono legal assistance to asylum seekers is regrettable and misguided, according to the Law Council of Australia. Law Council of Australia President, Fiona McLeod SC, utterly rejected the comments aimed at legal professionals who are assisting asylum seekers to pursue rights that exist under international and Australian law (28 August 2017). More...

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