Australia has announced measures to address significant abuses in its visa system aimed at cracking down on human trafficking and other forms of organized crime. This decision follows a review that uncovered "grotesque abuses" of temporary migrants, including sexual exploitation and human smuggling. Clare O'Neil, the Home Affairs Minister, highlighted deficiencies in the immigration system, citing a lack of staff as a contributing factor that has allowed international criminal gangs to transport trafficking victims into Australia under false asylum claims or tourist visas that should have been properly checked and monitored by the government. These victims are subsequently coerced into prostitution within Australia, which O'Neil referred to as "an amazing fraud perpetrated on the Australian people." The government also raised concerns about false asylum claims, which enable applicants to remain in Australia on temporary visas for up to a decade before their cases are resolved.
To tackle abuses in the visa and migration system, the government plans to establish a division within the Department of Home Affairs. Australia, which has traditionally relied on immigration to meet labor market demands, is proposing an overhaul of its immigration system to expedite the entry of highly skilled workers and streamline the path to permanent residency. In April, the government announced plans to make the visa process quicker and easier for skilled professionals while implementing measures to retain international students.
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