Released on = December 11, 2006, 2:45 am

Press Release Author = Neoli Marcos

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = This month of December, Australia reaches peak in its
harvest season. Not surprisingly since summers in Australia occur in December as
opposed to the wintry climate of the Northern Hemisphere.

Press Release Body = This month of December, Australia reaches peak in its harvest
season. Not surprisingly since summers in Australia occur in December as opposed to
the wintry climate of the Northern Hemisphere.

December, thus, is a time of high demand for harvest workers, especially in areas
where crucial picking of fruits has to be done. Among the variety of fruits and
flowers include mangoes, grapes, citrus fruits and rambutans—important products and
industry Australia is competitively maintaining for a global market.

The increase in demand though is luring skilled workers without the proper
Australian working visas. “Past experience indicates some people working on the
harvests are doing so illegally,’ Senator Vanstone said today.

Australian immigration may have been beefed up in recent months, allowing people
with skills and profession to easily acquire an Australian visa so long as they meet
the requirements. But some have abused the migration programme and are entering the
country either on their own or in complicity with employers.

‘The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs offers employers or
contractors the opportunity to check if people are entitled to work through the
Entitlement Verification Online (EVO) system or by contacting the department,”
Senator Vanstone said.

‘EVO is a free online system that allows employers to check the work entitlements of
their workers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

‘Officers from the department can visit worksites to explain how to register and
conduct checks on the work rights of potential employees.’

Currently, Parliament is considering tighter sanctions for employers who knowingly
or recklessly hire people who do not have proper Australian working visas. The
penalties can go up to $66,000 and two years imprisonment.

The proposed offences would also apply to labour supply companies that refer people
for work.

(http://www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/compliance/info-employers/evo-orgs.htm)

[With reports from Senator Amanda Vanstone\'s website]

Web Site = http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

Contact Details = National Visas
Web site: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3 - 118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9697 4922