although months and season’s neither make a chance tot he northern territories the South divide’s climate ranges dramatically from cold wet raining months to blazing heats and arid conditions in the summer.

Great places to go?

The best bet is to Book you’re holiday on the Northern coasts although the towns and city aren’t as widely populated nor heavily populated.

The majority of Australia is a baron wilderness which cannot be habituated due to immense heat and little or no water, this is why all of the major towns and cities are situated on the coast of the country which probably induces so many tourists to take Australia Holidays.

Don’t leave home without: a eagerness to use these words “Mate” “No Worries” and “She’ll be aright” as slanged English is commonly spoken out there, this shouldn’t be much of a problem to the youth of today.

Appetite: Seafood and steak washed down with larger (not fosters or xxxx) or copious amounts of fresh locally sourced wine.

What to do?

should be more along the lines of ” What isn’t there to do!”, you can meet and party with many of the millions of travellers, explore the cultured citys and town or try you’re skills at surfing on the fantastic beaches which Australia is bless with. There’s always the opportunity to take Australia tours To venture different aspects of the country like it’s many vineyards or trace back through the native routes and Explore the ancient Aboriginal dwellings and artAustralia cruises Also prove to be very popular among tourists especially those who enjoy aquatic wildlife due to the surrounding seas are bless with seals, sharks , dolphins and whales.

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An increasing number of hotels are positioning themselves to be more than just a place to sleep—they are the action.

You may have heard of the ice hotel in Sweden or even funky spots like the Dog Bark Park in Cottonwood, Idaho … but here are few more unusual hotels to inspire your next trip.

1. To the Lighthouse

Love all things nautical? Then try sleeping in a lighthouse.

There are actually dozens of lighthouses around the world that welcome overnight guests, but at Brown’s Point Lighthouse in Tacoma, Washington, you get to be the lighthouse keeper.

This 30-foot concrete structure is perched by Commencement Bay and the keeper’s dwelling (at right) was recently restored for overnight stays. Guest participate in the “keeper program,” in which they maintain the lighthouse and hold public tours. This job is designed for at least two people, and six maximum, making it a great educational experience for families. Rates range from $500-$700 per week. 253-927-2536, www.pointsnortheast.org

2. Go Climb a Tree

If it seems like the days of kids clambering up trees and running around outdoors are a thing of the past, skip the sedentary vacations and force them out – and up.

The Cedar Creek Treehouse is a private mountain retreat in the woods of Mt. Rainier, located 50 feet up in a 200-year-old Western Red Cedar tree.

Owner Bill Compher built the treehouse himself, making it large enough to accommodate up to five people.

There’s a bathroom, kitchen and dining area, not to mention skylights and an observatory 100 feet up that offers great views from all around.

Though it’s a safe climb up, kids under 10 are not allowed inside the treehouse. Rates are $250 for two people, and $25 for each additional guest. 360-569-2991, www.cedarcreektreehouse.com

3. All Aboard the Romance Train

To conjure up the romantic days of train travel, why not cozy up inside an actual train car for the night? The Northern Rail Traincar B&B in Two Harbors, Minnesota, is made up of connected rail cars with 18 guest rooms.

The Porter Suite sleeps two and includes a dinette and a private bath for $109-$139.

Located on 160 acres of forested land (about 25 minutes outside of Duluth), you have access to Lake Superior and Gooseberry Falls, plus outdoor activities like hiking and golfing. 877-834-0955; www.northernrail.net

4. Were You Raised in a Barn?

Located on the Puget Sound, just a ferry ride away from Seattle, is a quirky little spot designed for two. The Big Red Barn Getaway is a real barn built in the 1890s which has been renovated into a tiny inn.

You’ll be surrounded by miles of unspoiled nature (and may even catch sight of a Bald Eagle). The historic Victorian seaport of Port Townsend is a 10-minute walk away, and Fort Worden State Park is only two minutes away, with gorgeous beaches and plenty of hiking trails. 360-301-1271, www.BigRedBarnGetaway.com

5. How About a Yurt?

Ever slept in a yurt? Even know what a yurt is?

These round, canvas dwellings were created by Mongolian nomads more than 2,000 years ago; it’s an ingenious structure that sits sturdily on the ground and often can fit several people at once.

Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California, has 16 yurts along the ridge above the Pacific Ocean, four of which can fit families. You’ll have the best ocean-view room in town. Rates are $170-$270 for two to four people, including a waffle breakfast. 877-424-4787, www.treebonesresort.com

6. Batting Around in a Cave

You may not know that there are several underground hotels in Cappadocia, Turkey (a region in the middle of Turkey not too far from Ankara), but the most highly touted one of all is the Gamirasu Cave Hotel, which is located inside a restored, thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic retreat. There are 18 exquisitely adorned rooms, some of which were actually monk cells, which are carved into the cave or built with volcanic rock.

Don’t worry, there is running water. Room rates range from about $110 for a double room to about $500 for a deluxe suite. www.gamirasu.com

7. Digging the Dug-Out

The Australian outback is filled with opal mines and dugouts galore—so dive in and experience one first-hand at the Desert Cave Hotel located within the sandstone of Coober Pedy.

The hotel boasts 19 underground rooms, and about 30 rooms above ground for those who prefer not to live troglodyte-style. Also underground are casinos, shops featuring locally mined opals and Aboriginal arts and crafts. Rooms are about $150 a night, not including meals or a cave tour. www.desertcave.com.au

8. Sleeping in the Pipelines

If you ever wanted to brag that you slept in a drainpipe, read on … Daspark Hotel in Lintz, Austria consists of three concrete drainpipes in the middle of a park.

Inside each one is a teensy room built for two, with a double bed, a lamp, a small storage space, and even power outlets. Food, toilets and showers are all located nearby.

If you’re concerned about sleeping in a public park, rest assured that the drainpipes are all locked with a safety code. And best of all, you get to determine your own rates. www.dasparkhotel.net

9. Sleeping with the Fishes

With both China and Dubai building underwater hotels called the Hydropolis, sleeping under water seems to the wave of the future. China is hoping to have its land-based HydroTower component open by the Olympics, but if you can’t wait until then, visit the Jules Verne Undersea Lodge.

This underwater hotel is actually a research lab in Key Largo, Florida, but regular landlubbers are invited to spend the night. You’ll actually have to scuba dive your way into the hotel, but they’ll give you all the necessary training. An overnight visit costs about $475 and includes diving gear and unlimited dives if you’re certified. 305-451-2353, www.jul.com

10. Doing Time

The new Liberty Hotel in Boston has been making headlines as a former jail-turned-luxury-hotel. After a five-year renovation program that cost upward of $150 million, the Charles Street jail has maintained some precious features that pay homage to its history—such as a restaurant called Clink, and a bar called Alibi housed in the former “drunk tank.”

But if you’re looking for a more, well, authentic prison experience, you’ll have to jet yourself over to Latvia to the Karosta Prison. Located in Liepaja (about three hours west of Riga), this former Soviet detention facility was once known as the “prison that nobody escaped from.”

Today, it welcomes (if that’s the right word) visitors to spend a night for about $16.

Guests play the role of a prisoner, complete with ex-Soviet military guards berating and ordering you around, cold iron beds, and toilets that remain uncomfortably close to their original state. http://www.karostascietums.lv/1/EN/news

By Managing Editor Sarika Chawla for Peter Greenberg.com.

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Streets breathing history and culture
Amsterdam has a broad spectrum of recreational and cultural sights that range from fascinating old buildings, but of all this mosaic, museums are the main tourist attraction. Everyone knows the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum, but there is much, much more.
The pinnacle of sophistication and home to the three major and most important museums in Amsterdam is the Museum quarter (Museumplein), an art lover’s paradise which boasts the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art and the Van Gogh Museum. Without doubt, any culture vulture will be in their element in this recently renovated quarter. Also, in amongst the stylish hotels and cafés, lays the majestic Concertgebouw, renowned the world over for its breathtaking acoustics and locally, for its free lunch time classical concerts. The Museum quarter is arguably the cultural hub of the city, offering a kaleidoscope of activities and attractions. A stroll down the exclusive P.C. Hooftstraat, Pieter Cornelisz or Van Baerlestraat will take the you into some of the world’s most chic couture houses.
If you seek the natural beauties of Amsterdam, this botanical garden will surely reveal them to you – Amsterdam’s Hortus has from way back been known as “the town’s pride and joy”, an oasis of peace and beauty at the very centre of the bustling city. Established in 1638 as a herb garden for Amsterdam’s doctors and pharmacists, the garden is almost 400 years old and it has more than 6000 plants, some of them really unique, as 2000 years old agave cactus. The Museum of Life (“Museum van het Leven”) will tell you the history of life on Earth by very attractive means, and after visiting the zoo, the Geological Museum, the Zoological Museum, the Plant Houses, the Aquarium or the Planetarium are ready to reveal you ancient secrets.
As for the events you should not miss if you get to Amsterdam this summer, the 10th annual edition of the “Comedytrain International Festival” features the very finest in English language stand-up comedy, for six weeks in July and August. With the likes of Adam Hills (Australia), Eddie Bannon (Ireland), Adam Bloom (UK), Paul Provenza (US) and Ron Vaudry (Canada), you will leave Toomler in stitches, guaranteed. Beginning with the 11 of August, for five days, special locations in the heart of Amsterdam form the backdrop for more than 80 classical concerts, as the “Grachtenfestival” catches the public attention. The concerts can be enjoyed in houses and gardens of hospitable local inhabitants and in concert halls, historic buildings, museums and out of doors in the area around Prinsengracht.

A hippie heaven
And because shopping is one of the tourists favorite ways of discovering the city, you will find that there are several “shopping corridors” in the city and each one has it’s own charms and specialties. The first one is Nieuwedijk-Kalverstraat, a 1km pedestrian area full of shops, with no traffic other than a constant stream of tourists, students, scholars, excursionists and locals. On the other side of the square you will enter the Kalverstraat, the place where all mainstream brand names have one or more stores. In addition to this, flower markets, bicycles, restaurants, everywhere. If you like a little more luxury, the Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat is where you can do some serious damage to your credit card. As the evening falls, Amsterdam starts to sparkle, especially on the nice spring and summer days. While all cinemas and theaters are busy, city clubs, cafés and restaurants are full of joyful, friendly crowd. Between dips into artistic and historical treasures, be sure to take time out to absorb the freewheeling spirit of Europe’s most vibrant city.

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While 5,000 places have been added to the skilled migration stream, the family stream will remain at 2006-07 level of 50,000. Australia is facing labour shortage in the highly-skilled job segment. The country is also experiencing its lowest unemployment in 30 years. In this context, increasing the number of migrants to the country has become quite imperative.

The skilled migration programme allows foreign workers to enter Australia under various visa categories. Those with skills in labour-shortage sectors who have the required criteria can live and work in Australia without a sponsor. Others can come to work in Australia by being sponsored by an employer.

As the demand for foreign skilled workers increases, the Australian government has also put in place stringent laws to ensure that employers do not exploit the foreign lot.

Earlier this month, the Australian government announced changes in the Migration Act to this effect, which include new civil penalties for employers who flout the law, increased powers for the department of immigration and citizenship (DoIC) and the office of workplace services to investigate employers, and faster processing of applications for some employers.

For the prospective skilled immigrant worker, the changes will mean a higher English language proficiency requirement. Employers that fail to meet their sponsorship obligations will face tougher penalties.

The measures were introduced to ensure that foreign skilled workers are not paid less than the minimum salary or used in jobs for which they are overly qualified such as unskilled jobs or the ones that have not been listed under Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).

Urmi A Goswami, The Economic Times

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There are few countries nowadays that actually had the trademark of being the most productive and offered thousands of opportunities. Australia is one of these, it is known for having thousands of benefits and a low cost but high standard of living. Australia migration today is very popular especially for those who seeks a breakthrough with their career and life. And the reason also why there are thousands of migrate in Australia is the fact that processing an Australian Visas are never been these easy. Why? Because thousands of ally that you can ask for help and information, applicants need to do is just choose the most accurate and precise agent for their immigration service. And because the society now is capable of doing transactions in a much easier ways like the internet, there are lot of websites that offer these kind of services. National Visas Offers an Online Australia Visa Assessment that you can search for Australian visa services, and you can trust its services because it is Registered Migration Agent authorised by DIMA (Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs). Applicants must comply with all the requirements needed to get their student visa, working visa, travel visa or business visa in a stress-free and a quick manner.

Australia will definitely change your life. This is not just because of the great opportunities and ways of living here, but also the beautiful sceneries and tourist spots that people can actually enjoy with their whole life. Australian outback is one of the well visited spot in here, if you’re quite adventurous and wanted to experience the wild life, these are the best happenings ever. However, career chances in Australia will surely makes your dream come true, with thousands of jobs to choose from, you will definitely live your life in a high standard way.

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Australian Open 2008 and Australian Grand Prix are expected to be the biggest draws for sports buffs in Australia for the year 2008. Australian Open 2008 will be held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne from 14th – 27th January. This tournament is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments. The other three are French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. As is the case every year, Australian Open 2008 will be the first Grand Slam event of the year.

This year’s Australian Open will be the 96th edition of this tournament since its inception in 1905. The defending champion for Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles titles this year will be world champion Roger Federer and Serena Williams respectively. Bob and Mike Bryan won the Men’s Doubles title in 2007, while Cara Black and Liezel Huber won the Women’s Doubles title. On the other hand, Daniel Nestor and Elena Likhovtseva won the Mixed Doubles title.

The sponsors of Australian Open 2008 are Kia Motors, GE Money, Garnier, Evian, and Quantas, to name a few. Fox Sports and Seven Sport will televise the entire event in Australia. In other nations people can enjoy this Grand Slam event on various sports channels.

Flights to Australia increase during this event as several tennis buffs come to enjoy the tournament coupled with cheap world tours beginning in Australia. Flights to Australia connects major cities in the world to several cities in Australia such as Melbourne, Canberra, Syndey, and Brisbane. Australian Grand Prix will follow the 2008 Australian Open after six weeks. The Australian Grand Prix is another eagerly awaited event of the Aussie sports calendar 2008. This formula one event is also held in Melbourne.

Melbourne is a city in the Australian state of Victoria. It is regarded as Australia’s sports capital. Many kinds of international sporting events are held here. There are many places to see in Melbourne for the sports buff. They can visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. They can also enjoy watching an Australian rules football match that is unique to the nation.

Melbourne is also the hub of several cultural events. Popular cultural events organized in Melbourne include Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Arts Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, and many more. However, Melbourne is not only about events after all. There is much to explore in Melbourne. Melbourne tourist attractions include Melbourne Docklands, Eureka Tower, Federation Square, Jewish Museum of Australia, Melbourne Museum, Luna Park, Royal Botanic Gardens, Brighton Beach, and Jewish Holocaust Museum.

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Cheap world tours that include cheap USA tours, have revolutionized the way we travel. With a little know how, one can book cheap flights and economical accommodation in world hotels and explore much more than one had ever dreamt of. European nations are one of the most popular world travel destinations as they combine easy accessibility, and a mix of scenic beauty and urban sights. Many exciting events are also organized in Europe like the Venice Carnival 2008. Events like the Venice Carnival 2008, Berlin Film Festival, and Cannes Film Festival also attracts hoards of tourists. During these events, several cheap flights can also be booked.

On the one hand Europe has scenic vistas such as the Matterhorn in Switzerland and Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. While on the other hand there is fashion capitals like London, Milan and Paris at your service. From iconic structures and a rich culture to natural beauty and retail therapy, Europe has it all covered.

From Europe, its is quite easy to book a cheap USA tour and hop on to one of the world’s most urbanized and industrialized nations. But that’s not all there is to USA. It also boasts of rich scenery, wildlife, mountains, and tropical beaches. Travelers can choose to explore any facet of USA they wish to. It has two Disneylands for the kids to have a blast. The beaches of Miami and Hawaii are also very popular. For the best of entertainment head to Las Vegas in the state of Nevada, while the star struck can find Los Angeles very attractive.

Countries in Oceania like Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea are much-favored world travel destinations. Rich in coral and marine life, these destinations make for a great tropical escape. Australia’s huge coastline, outback, sports culture, and the sights and sounds of Western Australia are enough to hook anyone. New Zealand charms its visitors with its natural beauty, tropical islands, and awesome adventure sports. Oceania is also in proximity to Asia and many travelers combine the two continents for a grand vacation. Asia is where you will find the most intriguing cultures and lively atmosphere. It’s ancient architecture, vast wildlife, and oriental appeal draw millions of visitors to nations like India, China, Russia, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. It will not be wrong to say that Hong Kong and Macau are the entertainment capitals of Asia.

So pick your world travel destinations, book cheap flights and budget accommodation in world hotels or an all-inclusive cheap world tour, and set out for the ride of your life! Happy Journey!

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The SEEK Employment Index, which measures the ratio of new job ads to job applications, now sits at its highest point since October 2004 following a further 4.6% rise in September. Its strong upward trend provides clear evidence to Australian employers that the tight employment market has some way to run.

The index was considerably higher in all states in September. South Australia recorded the greatest increase at 6.8%, followed by Queensland (5.8%), NSW (4.3%) and the ACT (4.1%).

Job Advertisements
Strong growth in job vacancies in the mining, construction, IT&T and consumer goods sectors helped fuel a 4.9% increase in new job ads across Australia last month. New jobs advertised were strongest in South Australia where they increased by 5.9%. Victoria (4.9%) and Queensland (4.2%) also experienced strong gains.

Job Applications
Job seeking activity remained steady in September with the number of job applications posted rising by just 0.3%. Western Australia experienced a 2.3% increase in job applications, suggesting that publicity around the resources boom may now be attracting applicants from other areas, but Queensland (-1.6%) South Australia (-0.9%) and NSW (-0.6%) all experienced falls in job application numbers.

Commenting on the results, SEEK Sales Director Joe Powell said:

“There’s been a lot of talk about skills shortages driving the tightening of the labour market in relation to the current resources boom. It seems as though the retirement of the baby boomers is possibly a far greater, lurking problem.

“In September, property valuers seemed to appear quite suddenly within the five most candidate-short occupations nationally and in WA, QLD and Victoria. Anecdotal evidence suggests that demand for valuation services has remained fairly steady, but an ageing workforce and the siphoning of graduates by large funds managers and property developers is creating significant workforce shortages that are likely to be ongoing.

“We are hearing about many other professional groups, among them nurses, solicitors and teachers that are facing a mass exodus of talent due to retirement. More than ever there is a strong role for industry associations, as well employers themselves, to help educate students and skilled professionals about the career opportunities on offer and to attract ongoing interest from future employees”, he said.

Professor Peter Sheehan of the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies said: “A strong economy, the resources boom and more affordable goods and services are driving demand for labour at a rate the market cannot supply. Detailed SEEK data point to skills shortages in the IT&T, Insurance, Science and Technology and Legal sectors, while a slow down in manufacturing and hospitality and tourism has made job seeking more competitive in these industries”, he said.

–
onrec.com

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Yet multiculturalism is of growing significance, with the development of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement, which gives EU residents more freedom to travel quickly across country borders. There’s a new wave of economic migration across Europe, and it affects all of the countries.

As the Czech Republic adopts the Schengen Agreement later this year and continued strong economic growth leads to shortages in particular areas of its work force, the issue has come to the forefront.

So what has been Australia’s experience?

Australia is a nation built on migration. Its population of 21 million has come from some 200 countries. Almost one in four of our residents was born overseas. Since World War II, we have been the third highest recipient of refugees in the world.

Most of this migration has been the result of carefully managed migration policies. Over the past 35 years, these policies have, notably, been non-discriminatory with respect to nationality, race, ethnicity, religion and sex.

Australian officials have actively encouraged and fostered multiculturalism during this time period. They have held firm to the belief that no Australian should be disadvantaged on the basis of their country of birth, cultural heritage, language, sex or religion. Migrants have been encouraged and assisted to retain and respect their heritage, including their language.

While English is our working language, almost 150 languages are taught in Australia today. Over time, our main source of migrants has shifted from Europe to Asia. People from Sudan currently make up the fastest growing birthplace group of migrants to our country.

Although Christianity is Australia’s predominant religion, other religions, including Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism, have shown the biggest proportional increase in recent years.

What has been the outcome of this experience? Has it been a positive one?

These questions were answered with an unequivocal “yes” during the recent visit to Prague by two exceptional Australians of Lebanese heritage.

The first was Professor Marie Bashir, who, as governor of Australia’s largest state, New South Wales, now occupies the first public office created in Australia. Governor Bashir also holds the honorary elected position as chancellor (rector) of Australia’s oldest university, the University of Sydney. A medical doctor, psychiatrist and administrator, her many achievements include being an Australian “mother of the year.”

The other visitor was the governor’s husband of 50 years, Sir Nicholas Shehadie. Sir Nicholas is a former captain and manager of the iconic Australian Wallabies Rugby Union team. He was the first non-Anglo-Saxon Lord Mayor of Sydney, and has been chairman of the Australian multicultural TV and radio network, SBS.

During the couple’s visit to Prague, Governor Bashir led a discussion at a dinner hosted by the Prague Society on the issue of Australia’s experience with multiculturalism.

Both the governor and Sir Nicholas exemplify the richness of Australia’s multicultural heritage. Both have achieved and contributed much to our society.

Governor Bashir spoke of the great opportunities Australia had provided for its migrants, the support it offered them to help them make difficult adjustments to a new society, including special language translation services, and the richness that our migrants have brought to our society and to our economy.

I would also argue that multiculturalism in Australia has led to the development of a cohesive, innovative, progressive and dynamic society.

Australia has been ranked as having the lowest risk of political instability in the world.
Australia ranks third in the world on the U.N. Human Development Index.
Australia is enjoying its 15th consecutive year of economic growth, growth that has been well above the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) world average.

Over the past 25 years, Australia has become one of the most open and competitive economies in the world. Our standard of living now exceeds that of all G8 countries other than the United States. For five consecutive years, it has been ranked as having the world’s most resilient economy.

Five of our state capital cities are rated by the Economist Intelligence Unit as being among the world’s top 12 “most livable cities.”

Migrants have contributed significantly to Australia’s sporting prowess, including coming in an extraordinary fourth place in the last two Olympic Games.

Migrants also contribute immensely to our rich academic, cultural and culinary life. They have, for example, been instrumental in making Australia — traditionally a beer-drinking nation — the third largest exporter of wine in the world. Our multicultural society also helps our large tourist industry and our position as a place of learning for over 300,000 international students every year.

All this is not to say that social cohesiveness is not an issue in Australia. Every now and then disruptions occur that the media is quick to attribute to ethnic tensions —although that is often only part of the story. But these disruptions are, I believe, dwarfed by the great positives that have come from our cultural diversity.

The issue of an Australian national identity is also one that has been on the government’s agenda. Indeed, in October, it will be introducing two measures to promote social cohesiveness and Australian values.

First, from mid-October, most people who apply for permanent or selected temporary visas to Australia will be required to sign a “values statement,” which confirms their commitment to abide by Australian law and to respect the Australian way of life.

Australian values include: respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, equality of men and women, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, support for parliamentary democracy, and support for freedom of speech.

Second, from Oct. 1, most migrants to Australia will need to pass a new Australian citizenship test before they can apply for Australian citizenship. The aim of the test is to ensure that new citizens can participate fully in Australian life and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

The test is multiple choice and includes questions about the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship, Australian values, Australia’s geography, history and peoples, and the Australian system of government.

Europe has given Australia much, including through migration. I would be very happy if Europe could, as it ponders its future, take a very positive message from Australia’s experience with immigration and multiculturalism.

—
The author is the ambassador of Australia to the Czech Republic. He is based in Warsaw, The Prague Post

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The Australian Government’s new citizenship test will ensure new Australian citizens are committed to Australia’s values and way of life.

The 2007-08 Budget provides funding of $123.6 million over five years to deliver the Australian Government’s new citizenship test, to be introduced in 2007.

The planning number for the Migration Programme will be set at 152,800 places in 2007-08. This level will strengthen our economy and maintain a strong cohesive community.

The Skilled Migration Stream will have a modest increase of 5,000 places with a total of 102,500 places. The family stream will be maintained at the 2006-07 level of 50,000 places.

The 2007-08 Budget will strengthen Australia’s borders against the increasingly sophisticated criminal networks who engage in people smuggling. Ten additional Airline Liaison Officers (ALOs) will be placed at overseas airports. The Australian Government will also provide funding of $7.7 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Indonesia. The funding will provide training and resources for the care of intercepted people and a dedicated unit to manage voluntary returns.

The Australian Government is committed to supporting humanitarian entrants to settle in Australia and become part of the Australian community. The 2007-08 Budget delivers $209.2 million over four years to assist recently arrived refugee and humanitarian entrants to settle into the community. The Budget also maintains 13,000 places for refugees and humanitarian entrants.

Kevin Andrews MP, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

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