Businesses in Australia have spoken out against the Gillard government’s crackdown on temporary skilled migrant visas.
The Australian reported that businesses viewed temporary skilled migrants as having a positive impact on industry as they can bring necessary skills to the companies, helping to boost both the Australian economy and the country from which the skilled migrants come from.
In a report from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, it was reported that the number of skilled migration visas approved fell by 12 per cent between July and November last year.
Skilled migration visas allow people to move to Australia if they have skills that can be used by businesses within the country. People with this visa can stay in the country for up to four years with their families and could be offered a permanent residency.
Union leaders complained that people were using the visa as a way to gain a permanent residency, rather than only for the amount of time that it is intended for.
Posted by Craig Francis
