Australia-UK bond ‘under threat’ from Britain’s ‘discriminatory’ visa and migration policies

“The UK’s visa changes are making this country a less welcoming destination for Australians,” the Australian High Commission signed report states.
“This potentially harms the UK’s image and reputation in Australia, and might even in the long term undermine the unique Australia-UK bond.”
As previously reported, in 2011 the British Government closed certain skilled worker visas and capped other at just 20,000 positions for all nations from outside the European Union.
The move came after the EU’s open borders saw a dramatic rise of skilled or semi-skilled workers flood the UK, particularly from eastern European nations.
Next year UK worker restrictions are to be further tightened and extended to intra-company transfers, spouses right to work and see levies implemented.
There has been a 50 per cent drop in Australian migration between 1999 and 2011, to just 26,000 people with another 14 per cent drop in the past four years.
The Australian Government has formally protested the move in a rare strongly worded diplomatic missive from High Commissioner Alexander Downer to Whitehall and Westminster’s Migration Advisory Committee.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who studied in Melbourne in his youth, said he would be taking the case up with Prime Minister David Cameron for Australia’s unique position in UK history to be recognised.
“The Mayor has long argued for a fair but firm visa system that attracts talented people from across the world to come to London to live and work,” a spokesman said.
“He believes that Commonwealth citizens should be given more freedom to contribute to London’s economy, culture and communities, particularly given the strong cultural connections between our countries. As a start, the Mayor has proposed an agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom that allows greater movement of skilled people between both countries in order to address skills shortages. This could be extended further to other Commonwealth countries, if successful.”

veya_victaous wrote:I know another example of how Europe still exists in an imaginary world from 20 years ago.


You lot all Called us Racist BACK THEN because we were going through the early stages of Multiculturalism like you are now with all the bleating from Cowards about how it's the end of the world blah blah blah......

we are over that, JUST like the Europe will eventually if is can mange not to Start World War 3 by Letting it's Cowards Run Rampant.

nicko wrote:I don't like the wording "you lot"  it screams" I am racist"

Raggamuffin wrote:I've always thought it was easier for an Aussie to come over here to work than it is for a Brit to go and work in Australia.