Australian Immigration Minister Visiting India and Sri Lanka

May 2, 2012 | Filed under: Australia,India,Sri Lanka | Posted by: Tahir

Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen who was visiting India from April 30 to May 2, 2012 is now in Sri Lanka to discuss the issue of illegal immigrants, migration reforms and skilled migration programme.

Mr. Bowen has said, “Australia will continue working closely with Sri Lanka on issues relating to people smuggling, including preventing and disrupting people smuggling ventures by air and sea.”

He further said, “We appreciate Sri Lanka’s ongoing cooperation in the area of people smuggling, in particular its new people smuggling legislation which will work to promote regular migration avenues for Sri Lankan nationals.”

According to the minister, a large number of skilled workers and students come to Australia from India. the second largest number of students studying in the Australian educational institutions also come from India.

The Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister’s visit to highlight the new reforms in the Australian immigration and changes to student visas in order to boost the number of students and skilled migrants from India and at the same time discuss to implement measures to combat the growing problem of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka.

The relaxation of student visa rules by the Australian government is also acting as a catalyst for the increased number of students applying to get admission in Australian colleges and universities.