Regarding more checks on visas
Letter to the Editor - The Canberra Times
28 January 2004
Dear Sir/Madam
Bill Jennings (More checks needed on visas, 27/1/04) should be aware of the following.
There are regular, carefully orchestrated compliance operations across the country to locate people breaching their visa conditions or working here illegally.
Last financial year the Department dealt with over 21,000 people who overstayed their visas or breached their visa conditions.
This was a 20 percent increase compared to the 2001-02 financial year, when some 17,000 were located.
Comparing visa overstayers with unauthorised boat arrivals is like comparing apples with oranges.
Visa overstayers and illegal workers arrive legally in Australia after meeting security, health and identity requirements.
In contrast, people seeking to arrive here unlawfully by boat often do so with no identification or supporting documentation, often as a result of maritime people smuggling ventures. We don't know who they are, where they are from or why they arrived here.
The Department will continue to clamp down on people who flout immigration laws by working without permission or overstaying their visas.
Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA