Vets to Get Exemptions Into Australia Amid Shortage of Skilled Migrants
Foreign veterinarians will be fast-tracked into Australia amid a shortage of vets that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened.
Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke confirmed on Saturday that vets would be added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List, which will allow them to enter Australia.
At least 800 more veterinarians are needed nationwide to fill the gap caused by the puppy boom during the pandemic, according to Warwick Vale, the Australian Veterinary Association president.
While Dr Vale welcomed the new policy change, he said there are deeper problems that had long been existing in the veterinary industry, such as low pay, overstress, and the depressing nature of the job itself.
Mr Hawke said he was a strong supporter of the community support program. It is great to see the strong interest and commitment to community sponsorship approaches within the Australian community, and the positive settlement outcomes being achieved through these channels, both through our current program and internationally, he said on Monday. I look forward to ensuring the program becomes a genuine, successful partnership between community, business and the government, to provide beneficial outcomes to our refugee and humanitarian arrivals in Australia.
The minister said he would consider Ms Larkins findings in detail and consider possible changes to strengthen the government s approach.
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Following the prime minister’s ban on Australian citizens returning from India, Fran Bailey has called the decision abhorrent and an indictment on the government.
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Karen Middleton.
Former Howard government minister Fran Bailey.
Credit: Nine / Paul Jones
Fran Bailey, a former Howard government minister, has blasted Prime Minister Scott Morrison for locking Australians in India out of their own country, calling it “abhorrent”, “unconscionable” and “an indictment on the government”.
“I’m disgusted, absolutely disgusted by this decision,” Bailey says of the government’s declaration that there would be a temporary pause on travellers from India entering Australian territory from 12.01am on Monday, May 3.
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Advocates are concerned hundreds of asylum seekers who’ve been waiting years for their refugee applications to be processed have been given just two weeks to prepare for the most important interview of their lives .
Several asylum seekers who arrived by boat before 2014 have been invited for interviews with the Department of Home Affairs to assess their protection applications. They have been given just two weeks notice.
There are concerns many of them face language and financial barriers, and some don’t know where to go for help as they prepare for interviews that may determine whether or not they can stay in the country.
The government s controversial India travel ban will be lifted on May 15 but anyone infected with the virus will be kicked off repatriation flights.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Friday the biosecurity order had done it s job and would not extend beyond the May 15 review date.
One repatriation flight per week will be organised by the government to help 1,000 Australians return home by June.
The Federal Government will use the Howard Springs quarantine facility (pictured) in the NT to exclusively house Australian travelers fleeing Covid-ravaged India from May 15
Scott Morrison (pictured left) announced Australian repatriation flights from India will begin on May 15 as 9,000 Australians are stranded in India after travel ban