The Migration System Of Australia Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Migration System Of Australia. Answer: European settlements initiated in Australia in 1788 when the population was merely 40000 and the present population of Australia is around 30 million. One of the primary reasons for such increase in population has been the number of migrants entering into Australia. For this reason there was a need of a strong migration system in the country. The migration system of Australia has witnessed several changes in its history. The migration system started from only European people and now accepts multiculturalism. One of the most popular reforms in relation to the migration system in Australia has being the shift from white policy to multiculturalism. Prior to 1956 non-European residents were not allowed to become Australian citizens. However after this period citizenship was offered to those who did not have a European background. Gradually mixed race migration was increasing in Australia and the country entered its initial migration agreement (Non-European) with Turkey. In 1978 structured selection replaced the quota system which was based on reservation of racial homogeneity and country of origin. According to this policy rather than the country of origin migrants was selected on the basis of there social and personal attributes and occupational group. Australia was declared as a multicultural society in 1973 and from this period all practices in relation to racial or ethnic discrimination had been abolished. It was provided through the Australian Citizenship Act 1973 that equal treatment h as to be provided to all migrants coming to Australia. Due to this policy thousands of people started to arrive in the country by boats from countries like Vietnam, China, Middle East and East Timor. All such peoples were subjected to mandatory interment during the period where there claim for a Refugee status was assessed. However for this reason Australia had been subjected to criticism by United Nations and Amnesty International in relation to detaining all illegal migrants which also included children. The practice is still applicable in the Australian migration system[1]. An enquiry was led by Fitzgerald in 1988 which suggested future changes in the migration system by moving away from a process of family reunion and putting emphasis on business and skill categories. The year 1981 witnessed the abolishment of the assisted passive scheme and only refugees were provided certain level of support while they arrived in Australia. New Zealand for the first time took over the number of British migrants arriving in Australia the year 1996. One of the reasons for this situation is also the renewed prosperity in European countries and migrants from New Zealand are now followed by countries like India, South Africa and China rather than Greece or Italy. Citizens of Countries which have been unrepresented previously are being accepted as refugees by Australia due to overseas conflicts. Therefore the primary achievements which has been made by the migration system in Australia is in relation to introduction of multiculturalism and shifting from a discriminative an d unproductive selection criteria to a criteria based on skills and knowledge. However there is a significant area in the current Australian migration system which needs to be addressed appropriately to ensure that the system is fair and just. According to ABC News there are several immigrants who have been kept under immigration detention by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection[2]. It has been argued by Doherty that the current system of keeping people under immigration detention by Australia is a crime against humanity[3]. People are put into immigration detention for an indefinite period by the Australian government until their immigration status is assessed. This assessment period may take a significant time until then the people have to stay in immigration detention facilities which are also not up to a relevant standard as stated through humanrights.gov.au [4]. The state of people residing in Australian immigration detention facility is very poor. In the given situation it would be suggested that the issue in relation to immigration detenti on is addressed by the migration system. If Australia would be able to address the issue related to immigration distension all criticisms which the country has been subjected to from the United Nations and Human Rights agencies would be significantly reduced. This situation may be initiated by setting out prescribed time frame beyond which a person would not be kept under immigration detention. Setting a time limit in relation to the assessment of a persons immigration status would provide them with significant mental support. The Australian government can also enhance the facilities which are provided in the immigration detention centres. Bibliography AustraliaS Migration History | NSW Migration Heritage Centre (2018) Migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au https://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/belongings-home/about-belongings/australias-migration-history/index.html Australia's Offshore Detention Centres 'A Crime Against Humanity' (2018) ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-14/offshore-detention-centres-crime-against-humanity-icc/8270028 Ben Doherty, Australia's Indefinite Detention Of Refugees Illegal, UN Rules (2018) the Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/may/18/australias-indefinite-detention-of-refugees-illegal-un-rules. Immigration Detention And Human Rights | Australian Human Rights Commission (2018) Humanrights.gov.au https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/asylum-seekers-and-refugees/projects/immigration-detention-and-human-rights