Australia is looking at reducing the number of places on its skilled migration program, "as a reaction to the economic circumstances"
The UN High commissioner for refugees , Antonia Guterres has warned against making foreigners and refugees scapegoats for the economic crisis faced in some countries. "When things go wrong in a country, there are two potential targets. One is the government, the other is foreigners" said Antonia.
The Australian Government is reviewing the occupations on the critical skills list, prioritizing Australian Visas for those migrants with skills that are high in demand, but are proving hard to fill by Australian candidates.
While Australia has been condemned for its detention and incarceration policies in the past, it is praised for one of the world's best resettlement programs.
Australian Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, has pledged that there would still be a strong humanitarian intake next year despite reviewing the skilled migration numbers. The number of refugees accepted by Australia within a year is determined separately from the skilled migrants quota.
The Australian Government is understood to be considering changing the law to accommodate people not specifically included by current regulations drafted to deal with the migration after the second world war.
"The Rudd Government is committed to humanity, fairness, and integrity in its refugee policies" senator Evans said. New laws would mean that Australia would be able to meet its human rights obligations.
Story first reported in Sydney Morning Herald 24/2/09
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