Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Joint media statement with Scott Morrison – Minister for Immigration and Border Protection and Michaelia Cash – Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.
The Immigration and Border Protection portfolio is contributing to efforts to cut red tape, Minister for Immigration and Border Protection the Hon. Scott Morrison and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash said today.
The government is committed to easing the regulatory burden on the business and not-for-profit sectors. The Immigration and Border Protection portfolio is making around 1000 regulatory changes.
The red tape reductions in the Immigration and Border Protection portfolio include streamlining the process for businesses that use the APEC Business Travel Card by reducing costs and helping facilitate small businesses travelling to APEC economies.
In 2010 there were 25 000 Australian APEC Business Card holders. As of December last year this had plummeted to barely more than 18 000.
Minister Morrison said the changes will improve access to the APEC Business Travel Card by removing the requirement for certification through an approved body for Australian citizen applicants.
'This small but essential change will mean the $330 fee per business will be dropped. This will also lead to an estimated annual saving of $760 000 in compliance costs and charges,' Minister Morrison said.
'Further, migration agents will benefit from the government's red tape repeal measures with the removal of the English language proficiency requirement for re-registering migration agents, saving each agent more than four hours of their time in unnecessary testing and travel,' he said.
Minister Cash said student visa holders are also better off under this government thanks to the extension of streamlined student visa processing to more non-university providers.
'But there is more work to be done. The recently announced independent review of the 457 visa programme will provide recommendations on how to maintain the integrity of the programme, while not placing unnecessary administrative burden on business,' Minister Cash said.
Transition to the new arrangements for the APEC Business Travel Card will occur in the coming months with full implementation expected before the end of the financial year.
URL:http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/sm/2014/sm212707.htm
Last update: Wednesday, 19 March 2014 at 16:06 AEST