Apologises if you already have this:
The Joint Standing Committee on Migration is inquiring into the migration
treatment of disability. Please see below the media release issued by the
Chair, Michael Danby MP.
An invitation to make a submission is in the mail and should reach you in
the near future. The closing date for submissions is Wednesday 28 October.
Further information about the inquiry is available on the web site at
<http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/index.htm>
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/index.htm or by
contacting the secretariat on (02) 6277 4560.
If you or your colleagues are interested in following the progress of the
inquiry, requests to be added to an email distribution list for media
releases may be sent to <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
Please feel free to circulate this email to clients, colleagues or contacts
in your network who might be interested in participating in the inquiry.
Kind regards
Anna Engwerda-Smith
Inquiry Secretary
Joint Standing Committee on Migration
House of Representatives
Parliament House | Canberra
ph (02) 6277 4562
fax (02) 6277 4844
_________________________________________
From: Liaison (REPS)
Sent: Thursday, 13 August 2009 1:46 PM
Subject: New inquiry launched into migration treatment of disability
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House of Representatives - Email alert service
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Issued by: House of Representatives Liaison & Projects Office, Thursday 13
August 2009
New inquiry launched into migration treatment of disability
The Joint Standing Committee on Migration has launched an inquiry into the
migration treatment of disability. The Committee will examine whether visa
decision-makers should be able to take into account the social and economic
contribution, as well as the anticipated health care costs, of potential
migrants with disabilities.
Every year, millions of people apply to visit or migrate to Australia, and
grant of a visa is conditional on a person satisfying the health requirement
specified in the Migration Regulations. The health requirement is designed
to protect Australia from public health risks, contain public expenditure on
health and community services, and maintain access of Australian residents
to those services.
Disability does not in itself mean that a person or a family will be refused
a visa. However, as part of the health test, applicants with a 'disease or
condition' are assessed on the potential cost and impact on Australian
health and community services.
Committee Chair Michael Danby welcomed the launch of the inquiry and said he
looked forward to canvassing community views on the issue.
"Potential migrants with disabilities and their families are currently
treated under the migration system as costs to our society, and there is
little scope to take into account the contributions they might make to their
community and workplace," he said.
"Under the terms of reference we will be examining whether the balance
between the economic and social benefits of the entry and stay of an
individual with a disability, and the costs and use of services by that
individual, should be a factor in a visa decision."
"We look forward to receiving a wide range of submissions to the inquiry
about where the balance should lie between our positive recognition of the
role that people with disabilities play in our community, our human rights
obligations, and the realities of a health system and disability services
sector under pressure."
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator the Hon Chris Evans,
and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services,
the Hon Bill Shorten, asked the Committee to inquire into the matter
following several cases in recent years of individuals and families refused
visas on the basis of their own or a family member's disability.
For media comment, please contact the Committee Chair, Michael Danby MP, on
(02) 6277 4520, or the Deputy Chair, Hon Danna Vale MP, on (02) 6277 4866.
For more information and the inquiry terms of reference, visit the inquiry
website at <http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/index.htm>
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/index.htm.
or contact the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4560 or
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
Issued by:
Andrew Dawson, media manager, Liaison & Projects Office, House of
Representatives Tel: (02) 6277 2063 wk, 0401 143 724 mob.
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Visit: <http://www.aph.gov.au/ath> http://www.aph.gov.au/ath
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