Australia's Visa-457 Scheme under Scrutiny

July 2007POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 20-07AUSTRALIA'S VISA-457 SCHEME UNDER SCRUTINYThe Philippine Consulate General in Sydney has reported on the continuing parliamentary inquiry into the visa-457 scheme of the government of Australia, amid calls from some sectors for its review, to incorporate tougher background and security checks on applicants who wish to work in Australia. The inquiry was a consequence of the arrest of an Indian doctor, who entered Australia using the visa 457 subclass, on his alleged connection with the failed terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom.The possibility of lengthier checks on the background of visa applicants has raised some concerns from business groups. Migration agents and industry groups fear that an extensive check on the applicant's background could slow the application process and defeat the purpose of providing fast solutions to labor shortages. The Australian government is trying to resolve the issue on where to draw the line between increasing security and maintaining efficacy. The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney anticipates an adverse effect on the recruitment and deployment of Filipino workers to Australia...