Non-return rate for visitors

Australian Financial Review - 4 June 2002

Dear Sir

While Aaron Patrick's article (Visitors flout the visa laws, 31 May) was largely correct in detail, the heading was flawed.

Due to careful management and cooperation between the Australian and PRC governments and the tourism industry, there has been strong growth in the number of visitors from China. In fact, visitor visa grants to Chinese nationals this year have grown by more than 20 per cent over the record levels reached in 2000-01.

At the same time, the non-return rate for visitors from China has been substantially reduced, from 17.6 per cent in 1995-96 to 2.25 per cent in 2001-02 to the end of April. The focus remains on enabling growth in the number of visitors from China while also maintaining the integrity of Australia's migration program.

Kym Charlton
A/g Director
Public Affairs