Fed: Migrant intake to be boosted by another 6,000

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2004
Fed: Migrant intake to be boosted by another 6,000

CANBERRA, April 1 AAP - Australia's migrant intake will be boosted by another 6,000
next year under further measures to open the door for more immigrants to enter the country.

It's the second announcement in as many weeks to increase migrants numbers, and Immigration
Minister Amanda Vanstone promised more would come.

Under changes announced today, an extra 5,000 skilled migrants visas would be granted
provided those people lived and worked in regional areas.

And about 300 more doctors would gain entry to Australia, with the revised program
providing an extra 1,000 places for doctors and their families.

Senator Vanstone said the rising demand for immigration to Australia had allowed the
government to demand higher skill levels.

But a special visa has been created for those people who can't meet the new pass mark
but meet the old standard, provided they commit to basing themselves in regional or rural
areas.

Senator Vanstone announced an extra 5,000 places for those willing to live outside
metropolitan areas, as long as they are sponsored by a state or territory.

"This increase will help states and territories to match migrants to skill shortages
and economic needs," she said.

"States who want skilled migrants will have the opportunity to sponsor them under this visa.

"States who don't want them will not sponsor them."

Senator Vanstone said modelling by Access Economics had estimated the migration program
would contribute more than $4 billion to the federal Budget over the next four years.

She said the 2004-05 non-humanitarian migration program would be about 120,000.

Senator Vanstone last week announced an extra 1,000 place in Australia's humanitarian program.

AAP sm/sb/tma

KEYWORD: MIGRATION

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