The federal government is not offering support for regional migrants to find work said the Deputy Chair of the federal Joint Standing Committee on Migration, Maria Vamvakinou in Bendigo on Wednesday.
“There does not seem to be a mechanism to recognise the qualifications or work experiences (of regional migrants) so, inevitably, they end up being unemployed,” said Ms Vamvakinou the federal MP for Calwell who was in Bendigo as part of a series of visits and public visits around the country focusing on regional settlement.
Ms Vamvakinou issued a joint media statement with Andrew Giles, the Labor shadow minister for cities and urban infrastructure, for multicultural affairs, and Lisa Chesters, the Federal member for Bendigo, in which they accused the Morrison government of still keeping secret a major review into human resettlement.
READ MORE: Maria Vamvakinou MP raises awareness on the harms of gambling addiction
“This is an important report that aims to improve the integration, employment and settlement outcomes of refugees in this country. The Australian public have a right to see it. Failing to release this report is treating the public with contempt, as well as letting down refugees and our communities,” the joint statement said.
Meanwhile, the government is to introduce two new visa to replace existing ones. A spokesman for the Department of Home Affairs is reported as saying: “the key feature of the new visas is that regional migrants will work in regional areas for three years before being eligible for permanent residence.
READ MORE: MP Vamvakinou launches Australian Sickle Cell Advocacy
“This means that migrants are more likely to stay in a regional area longer term, as they build ties to a particular location through workforce participation and community involvement.”
The spokesman said that a bill before parliament will allow holders of the new visas to access welfare payments and government services if they were permanent visa holders.