A proposed change to the federal Government’s character test has not gone ahead, the proposal by the Opposition’s Scott Morrison would have meant that anyone with any minor conviction would fail the character test and have their visa application rejected.

Chris Bowen, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism rejected the idea.

Mr Bowen said:

“There were almost 4.5 million permanent and temporary visas granted for people to come to Australia in 2009-10, and under his proposed amendment every person with even the most minor conviction would fail the character test, which could result in visa rejection.”

“The Coalition’s amendment would make it significantly more difficult for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to identify and take action against people who are a genuine threat to Australia.”

Mr Bowen pointed out that not only would it cause long delays in processing applications but it would be extremely costly to the DIAC and the Australian tourism industry which is worth $34 billion.

Mr Bowen said that under the proposal “A visa applicant with any custodial conviction at any time in their life would fail the character test, meaning many workers, students and tourists, could be prevented from entering Australia.”

At present a person applying for an Australian visa will not fail based on a minor conviction however convictions for serious crimes, particularly recent convictions are likely to prevent the approval of a visa.

A poll commissioned by the Salvation Army has found that some 60 percent of those asked believe that the gap between rich and poor has increased in the past year.

It found that 68 percent of people know someone who is struggling to pay for everyday necessities such as utilities and food.

Other Salvation Army research shows that a quarter of its clients are struggling more than they were a year ago and the Salvation Army is struggling to cope with the number of people requiring help. 80,000 more people are believed to be seeking assistance this year.

Major Neil Venables said that the research shows a side of Australia which is not normally seen.

“To see so many people indicating they know someone who is finding it difficult to pay for the basic necessities of … life is shocking,” he said.

“our resources are severely stretched.”

More than 45,000 young Australians and 25,000 families are homeless each night meaning that the Salvation Army needs to raise $79 million this year just to continue its normal services.

This research shows that while Australia is a booming country with a strong and resilient economy, it is not immune to the problems that all developed nations struggle to keep from escalating out of control.

It also shows that there is room in Australia for industrious individuals looking to make a difference.

Chris Bowen, Minister for the DIAC

The process by which skilled migrants are able to apply for an Australian Visa is set to change from July 2012. After this date, those wishing to apply for a visa will have to express their interest online and wait for an invitation before being able to apply.

The new Department of Immigration and Citizenship website released this statement.

“The Australian Government has decided on a major reform in the way Australia selects skilled migrants, the Skilled Migrant Selection Model (the Model). The Model will build upon and draw together the suite of reforms to the skilled migration program over the past three years. In doing so it will deliver the skills Australia needs by matching the best and brightest migrants to the available places in the migration program.”

“The Model will be an electronic system based upon a two-stage process. Prospective applicants first submit claims for skilled migration through an online EOI and subsequently may be invited to make a visa application. This is a significant change from the current situation, as applicants for independent or state/territory sponsored migration will be required to receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.”

This new system is designed to streamline the application process so that claimants are able to receive quicker decisions and Australia gets the skilled migrants it needs faster and at less expense.

One of Australia’s largest electricity and gas suppliers has indicated that much of the country will face power shortages over the next decade and power prices are likely to more than double.  

TRUenergy Chief executive Richard McIndoe said that the construction of new power stations has slowed due to a lack of investment in the face of a carbon tax.

“Capital is not being invested so we haven’t seen new power stations built,” Mr McIndoe said.

Mr McIndoe said the Electricity regulator Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has forecast power shortages for Queensland in 2013 and 2014 and in Victoria and NSW in 2015 and 2016.

Electricity prices have already increased by 40 percent over the last three years and an expected carbon tax of between $20 and $25 per tonne of emissions will double household bills over the next six years.

“A carbon price will add another $300 per household on top of that, so for a six-year period you’re seeing an effective doubling of electricity prices per household with no tangible benefit,” Mr McIndoe said.

TRUenergy is owned by CLP Group and assets worth $4billion while CLP has large investments in the power sector of China, Taiwan, Thailand and India.

Mr McIndoe said that the industry will take 15 years to make the transition from coal-fired power which currently generates roughly 80 percent of the country’s power to renewable energies.

So Australia can expect power prices to increase in years to come and hope that once a carbon price has been brought into effect, investment in renewable energies picks up.

Have you ever struggled to choose which company or service to use? Well our friends at Down Under Live are doing all they can to help by launching the UK’s first awards for companies working in travel and emigration to Australia and New Zealand.

The awards will recognize the very best companies helping travelers and emigrants to Australia and New Zealand and will allow thousands of consumers to vote for their favourite company, tourist destination, or in any one of a dozen categories. These include :

Best Visa Agent or Relocation Service

Best Removals or Shipping Service

Best Financial Product or Service

Best Airline

Favourite Tourist Destination

Best Wine

Best Hotel

Best Travel Company

Favourite Stopover

Customer Service Award

The editorial team of the UK’s leading magazine for downunder – Australia & New Zealand – will also be revealing their choice of winners for :

The Editor’s Choice Award

Value for Money Australia

Value for Money New Zealand

John Weir, Publishing Director of Australia & New Zealand magazine comments  “ We are delighted to be launching the UK’s first awards for the travel and emigration industries. Every year, millions of Britons travel to Australasia and thousands more find a new life in these amazing countries. These Awards will allow our readers to vote for their favourites and ensure they are recognised.”

Nominations for the awards are now open with voting commencing on the 18^th June. Winners will be announced at Down Under Live in London on the 17^th & 18th September 2011.

Earn more in Australia

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that the average weekly pay has increased to more than $1000 a week.

In 2010 the average weekly pay before tax was $1035, $40 up from last year making the average annual salary $53,820.  Over the last decade salaries have increased by 57 percent from $659 to the present figure.

There is still a divide between the sexes with the average man earning $408 a week more than their female equivalent.

While salaries have increased along with inflation it should also be noted that the vast sums being paid to staff involved in booming industries do pull the average up.  

Australian Human Resource Institute national president Peter Wilson said “We can expect average wages going up 4 per cent per annum. What’s now $1035; we can expect it to be up around $100 by early 2013.”

Full time workers earn an average of $1267 a week; $65,884 per annum and part time workers earn an average of $468 a week or $24,336 per annum.

The average salary in the UK is more than £20,000 less than in Australia however it should be said that the cost of living in Australia is higher than in the UK, with the exception of London.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen has announced that as well as increasing the number of skilled migrants to be allowed, there will also be reforms to the program in order to make it more efficient and effective in sourcing highly skilled migrants for Regional Australia.

‘It is critical that Australia’s skilled migration program is driven by Australia’s skills needs, rather than the desires of prospective migrants,’ Mr Bowen said.

Despite the increase in migration numbers this year, through the department’s reforms net migration levels have dropped from 315,000 in 2008 to 180,000 for the year 2011-12.

Regional visas will be granted the highest priority for processing with 160,000 places allocated to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.

‘For the first time, the Federal Government will specifically allocate permanent visas for regional areas,’ Mr Bowen said.

The government also plans to fast-track permanent residency for those who have been in regional Australia using the temporary business visa (subclass 457) and for those whose employers will sponsor them for a further two years.

‘This government recognises that different regions face different opportunities and pressures. The patchwork nature of the Australian labour market means it’s important to recognise unique local circumstances and tailor migration solutions accordingly,’ Mr Bowen said.  

‘Regional Migration Agreements will offer a coordinated, localised response to labour needs, helping local areas to implement workforce strategies that support growth while ensuring local workers remain the first choice for employers and industry.’

The new Migration Plan model, due to come into effect on July 1^st 2012 is the final piece in Mr Bowen’s series of reforms which sees Australian migration more focused and efficient through State Migration Plans and now the Regional Migration Agreements.

‘Under this model, the government will be able to select migrants like a business manages its workforce – selecting the best candidates, altering the skill composition of its workforce, and speeding up or slowing down recruitment as circumstances change,’ Mr Bowen said.

low house prices are creating an opportunity for those looking to move down under

ANZ chief Mike Smith has reacted positively to the current drop in house prices as the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed that in the first quarter of 2011 house prices fell 1.7 percent across all capital cities and 2.5 percent in Melbourne.

“I think that some of the reduction in prices is probably not a bad thing. Certainly the affordability issue is something that has been of concern,” he said.

He said that lending looks unlikely to return to the levels seen prior to the financial crisis however the housing market is “generally in good shape”.

ANZ has just posted first half cash profit of $2.82 billion which may be a record but has still been affected by the price war playing out among the Australian banking system. Australian Prudential Regulation Authority data shows that ANZ has fallen behind NAB, Westpac and Commonwealth Bank.  

“Obviously we’ll need to deal with that,” Philip Chronican, operations chief said.

While ANZ is lagging in the home loans market, Westpac has revealed that people are defaulting on their home loans at a higher rate than at the peak of the financial crisis in 2008 with 1.5 percent of Westpac’s $275 billion home loans book.

Westpac chief Gail Kelly said that even though a higher percentage of home owners are likely to need help and support with loan repayments “we don’t actually see it translating into loss”.

The overwhelming message is that the property market is stagnating, with inflation increasing, effectively pricing many out of the market so now is a great time to make the move and pick up a bargain.