By Matthew Sims
Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong’s mayors have welcomed news of an 21.9 per cent increase in the number of permanent migration visas available in 2022-23 across the country.
On Friday, September 2, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles announced an extra 35,000 permanent visas would be available for the 2022-23 year – from 160,000 to 195,000.
Hobsons Bay mayor Peter Hemphill said with about 25,000 new residents set to make the region home by 2040, it was important to ensure infrastructure, jobs, education, technology, and natural and urban environments created a inclusive, empowered and sustainable community.
“Hobsons Bay is a diverse community made up of residents from more than 130 countries, speaking more than 100 languages and from more than 80 faiths,” he said.
“Our cultural diversity brings both economic and social benefits to our community.”
Cr Hemphill said the council should also be offering more support to refugees from war-torn countries, such as Ukraine.
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said Maribyrnong officially became a refugee welcome zone in 2005 and Maribyrnong council has since made a commitment to welcome refugees into the community.
“The City of Maribyrnong is proud to be one of the most multicultural municipalities in Victoria and has welcomed many new residents predominantly from India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Nepal,” he said.
“Our Council Plan 2021-25 articulates Council’s commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive community.
“Council has a key role in ensuring that all local service offerings such as, sport and recreation, libraries, community centres, youth services, and family services are inclusive of all our residents – this includes people who have arrived on humanitarian visas, people seeking asylum, those from refugee backgrounds, and individuals who have migrated to Australia.”
There will also be an increase in the number of available state and territory visas – from 11,200 last year to 31,000 places this year.
Details: www.homeaffairs.gov.au
