During her latest regional tour, Independent Candidate for Farrer, Michelle Milthorpe met with advocates who work with immigrants to hear about the strengths and challenges that are confronting them in this space.

Mrs Milthorpe said Farrer was one of the most multicultural regional centres in Australia, yet, when it comes to supporting the newest members of our community, the policies in place are failing them.

She is calling for a strong and consistent approach to immigration that truly supports regional communities and their workforce needs.

“Our communities rely on a stable, skilled workforce, and immigration plays a critical role in that,” she said.

“But instead of policies that reflect regional realities, we have a system bogged down in paperwork and bureaucracy, leaving real people struggling.

“Right now, migrant workers and their families are being left behind.

“There are vulnerable people being exploited by visa scammers, and PALM workers who are stuck without work, medical care, or even a place to live.

“The government knows about these problems—there have been public reports as recently as six months ago—but nothing has changed.”

Mrs Milthorpe also raised concerns about the way skilled migration visas are allocated, leaving regional communities short in key areas like health and manufacturing.

“The government decides which skills are ‘in demand’ without speaking to the regions.

“We desperately need health professionals and skilled manufacturing workers, yet we are left short because the decisions are being made with a city focus.”

Mrs Milthorpe said changes to regional employer-sponsored visas were also making it harder for businesses to secure a stable workforce.

She said the 494 visa, while difficult for employers to manage, has been one of the few options that actually works for regional areas.

“It provides stability and access to Medicare, and it encourages migrants to stay in the regions. “But there are concerns it’s being phased out.

“The 482 Visa is easier and cheaper for businesses, but it provides no real incentive for workers to stay in regional areas or even with the employer who sponsored them.

“If we want to build a strong workforce in the regions, we need immigration pathways that reflect the needs of our communities, not just what’s convenient for the government.

“We want to welcome new workers and their families, but we need the right structures in place to support them.

“That means a visa system that meets our workforce needs, services that can help migrants integrate successfully, safeguards to prevent exploitation. and “This is about sustainability—about making sure our regional communities and economies can thrive.

“We need policies that work for us, not policies made without us.”