IMMIGRATION

Ms BETTISON (Ramsay) (14:37): My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade. Can the minister update the house on the progress of Immigration SA's 90-day project?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Small Business) (14:37): Happily, I am able to provide some information. I am pleased to be able to inform the house on the progress of Immigration SA's 90-day project, which began on 12 May and will run until 2 August. Members may be aware that a series of 90-day projects is being run across government to focus efforts on particular policy areas. In the case of Immigration SA's 90-day project, this is to improve migration outcomes for South Australia by increasing the number of skilled and business migrant nominations and encouraging greater South Australian employer nominations.

What we know is that in some cases our state criteria have been more stringent than federal requirements. Part of this project will be to bring us into line with the commonwealth. The Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy and the Department of Premier and Cabinet are working collaboratively with local industry to review current migration criteria with the intention of increasing eligibility for potential migrants.

The key changes for the migration programs include extending the validity dates for English language and skills assessments to align with DIAC. This will assist in reducing refusals due to expired documentation. Requirements for work experience in English language have been reviewed and, where appropriate, reduced to ensure a greater pool of potential applicants. We are looking at adding new occupations to the state-nominated occupation list and at making substantial modifications to lower the thresholds for investment export and employment requirements to ensure South Australia is seen as a competitive state for state nomination purposes.

The new Significant Investor visa has been modified to provide more flexible options to the existing state criteria. Of the complying investment, $A3 million must be invested directly into private South Australian companies not listed on the Australian stock exchange, for a minimum of two years, with no restrictions on how the remaining funds can be invested. Other ways to improve skilled and migrant outcomes for South Australia are also being investigated during this 90-day period. However, those that cannot be implemented in 90 days will be presented in the form of a potential forward work plan.

One of the first achievements has been to launch the new Immigration SA website to provide South Australians, migrants and anyone interested in moving to the state a better and more informative online experience. The revamped site will provide easier navigation, improved transparency of processing times and greater identity through the new state brand. You can access the website at www.migration.sa.gov.au.

I am also pleased that this government recently committed $600,000 over the next two years to promote South Australia to potential skilled and business migrants. The 90-day immigration project is just one of this government's long-term strategies for more effective participation in national programs for attracting permanent skilled and business migrants. I would like to thank the staff at DMITRE and DPC for their efforts in approving these processes and promoting South Australia as an attractive and competitive destination for migrants to work and live.