Visa reform to relieve Oz skill shortage
Australia's oil industry association has welcomed the federal government's
proposed visa reforms that would help bring temporary skilled labour into
the country.
The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) said the
reforms are an important step "in helping the nation to harness the
potential of the oil and gas industry to generate greater prosperity for all
Australians".
“Skills shortages are one of the key impediments to realising the enormous
growth potential of Australia’s oil and gas production industry,"
said APPEA chief executive Belinda Robinson.
"The Rudd government is to be commended for moving quickly to improve
the temporary skilled migration program."
The government said it is "moving quickly" to implement the
recommendations made by an independent study group set up to improve
Australia’s temporary skilled migration (457 visa) programme, known as a 457
visa.
Minister for Immigration & Citizenship, Chris Evans, said a key measure will
be to establisg specialised teams or "centres of excellence" in Sydney,
Melbourne and Perth to process 457-visa applications from July.
Local media reported that there are hundreds of outstanding 457 visa
applications. Evans said his department has allocated extra resources and
overtime working to clear the backlog by 30 June.
As at 1 April this year, 39,940 temporary skilled visas were granted in 2007
to 2008, which Evans said on current projections is 17% higher than the
previous year when 46,680 such visas were granted.
08 May 2008 01:20 GMT
| last updated:
08 May 2008 06:46 GMT
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