Turkish apprentice jockeys
Letter to the Editor - The Australian Financial Review
3 February 2006
Dear Sir/Madam
Your report on Turkish apprentice jockeys has jumped the gate (Young Turks riding in to rescue racing, 02/02/06).
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) would have been keen to ensure the facts made 'correct weight’.
DIMA has not, contrary to the report, made 'a deal’ to grant visas to 10 young Turks.
Further, the department has not waived the requirement that these jockeys be at least 18-years-old to be eligible for the occupational training visa.
As the parties involved will attest, this matter is still under consideration by the chief steward, DIMA.
The parties are working on providing additional evidence to DIMA to support their proposal and establish that exceptional circumstances exist to grant occupational trainee visas for those under 18 years old.
There are other issues to be resolved and the proposal has also been referred to another Commonwealth department for advice.
Sandi Logan
National Communications Manager
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs