POSITIVE NEWS - SKILLED MIGRATION AND VISA BACKLOG IN FOCUS IN ALBANESE FIRST NATIONAL CABINET MEETING

The National Cabinet has acknowledged that the arrival of migrants to help fill skill shortages are being slowed down due to backlog of visas. Anthony Albanese has said that clearing this backlog is in focus. He further explained that employees of Department of Home Affairs have been directed from other areas to help address the backlog and prolonged visa wait times.   Mr Albanese chaired his first national cabinet meeting on Friday, with state and territory leaders directly raising the issue of fast-tracking targeted migration with him. Migration program is still impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the visa backlog is putting enormous pressure on the Department of Home Affairs.   The National Cabinet is also recognising the need to do more to help businesses struggling to bring in workers to fill skill shortages. Mr. Albanese said that some visa applicants had been waiting 12 to 18 months before they were able to take their place in workplaces. He also told reporters, "We need to work on clearing the backlog there from people who have visas that have been granted. Short-term migration will need to be a part of the solution."   Mark McGowan, WA Premier, stated in support of the Prime Minister, "I appreciate what the prime minister has done to put more resources into dealing with the visa issues."   South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, also told reporters, “Clearly, there needs to be a reopening of skilled migration as a country. To the extent we could see visas processed at a quicker pace that would be a good thing."