37 minute read
What Self-Care
By: Sumeet Chawla
Self-care is a process that requires attention and effort every single day. It is important to understand the value of self-care. Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotionaland physical health. Although it is a simple concept, it is something we mostly overlook. Good selfcare is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It is also key to a good relationship with oneself and others.Self-care takes practice, but self-care refuels us.
One cannot pour from an empty cup, andone needs a moment to pour for oneself. Do not forget to take care of you. It is not your job to be everything to everyone. You can prioritise yourself and still be a great partner, friend, co- worker etc. Our current times are quite challenging and it is important to recognise, slow down and take care.
Give yourself time and space to really understand what you need from the day instead of going directly to what the day needs from you. Slow down and connect with your thoughts. Invest a few minutes in your
What Self-Care Is & How to practice it
day to become aware of how you are feeling. Maybe jot down a few sentences in your journal, on a piece of paper or on your phone. Be aware of what you do, why you do it, how it feelsand what the outcomes are, then plan your day accordingly. Some days will be very productive, whilst others may need intentional rest. Either way you are investing in what is best for you, to help you progress through the hour, day and week ahead.
It is also upto you to filter what you are allowing into your brain. Setting aside time to do something you really enjoy can help lift your mood. If you have got a busy schedule, an occasional 15-minute break will energise you. Other different ways to practice self-care, but are not limited to, are taking time out to Meditate, listen to music, getting enough sleep, unplugging from devices, exercise, eating healthy and mindfully, setting boundaries(by saying, NO, declining invitations ) starting a journal(for self reflection, releasing feelings, to plan, identify joys/ strengths, the list can go on..) and by practing gratitude. Develop friendships that are supportive, talk to a friend about how you are coping with work and life demands. Learn to identify activities and practices that support your well-being, as well as recognise the things that drain your energy, this will help you understand your self-care needs. Developing your self-care plan and putting your self-care plan into action, will help you improve your overall wellbeing. Schedule some self-care time every day - it does not have to be long.Write down a list of your self-care techniques and try them. Remember looking after youself is not selfish.
If you or your loved one are experiencing significant stress or anxiety, speak to your GP to refer you to a psychologist.Psychologists are able to support you to better manage your symptoms for improved wellbeing.
Sumeet Psychologist. Email: sumeet@strathfieldpsychology.com
Strathfie
To book an appointment with Sumeet, a referral and mental health care plan can be obtained from your GP, in order for you to receive a rebate from Medicare. She practices in Burwood and also offers Telehealth consultations to those in need.
Sumeet is specialized in Older person’s mental health care, supporting aged & elderly community members maintain well-being in later life. She is also SIRA Accredited & Work Development Order Accredited.
If you require further information, prior to contacting your GP, please e-mail : sumeet@strathfieldpsychology. com.au
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Dehumidifiers- Protecting your Homes & Health
By: Sarang Vengurlekar
It is that time again when the temperature is always below 10 degrees and to keep away the cold, we shut all our windows to stop the cold air entering our homes this reducing ventilation within our homes. We also crank up our heaters a bit to fight that shivering feeling to feel a bit more comfortable.
It is a story of our lives every winter and although it is great that we and our families are keeping warm and cosy to roam freely within our homes, but it also has a negative side which we normally don’t think about.
I am pointing towards the condensation on windows that you must have seen every morning after waking up. It is due to hot and humid air coming in to contact with a cold surface. When this warm and moist air gets in contact with the cold surface the moisture in it condenses. Moisture in the air is not only an issue
during winter but it is also equal during warm weather. The amount of moisture also depends on the area you live in as every suburb has it’s uniqueness.
Moisture in the air is also normally referred to as Humidity. The humidity and dampness can have many negative effects and the most common one is mould. Mouldin many ways can affect your health, it weakens your immune system, it can increase allergies, severe asthma is also possible and lastly it can cause allergic lung disease. Mould is a type of fungi and grows best in damp and poorly ventilated areas, which is normally the
Photo courtesy: landlordzone.co.uk scenario within our homes every winter.
A way to tackle the problem of mould we can use an electronic device called Dehumidifier. A dehumidifier decreases humidity (moisture) in our homes. The benefits are that we will be able to prevent mould, mildew and dust mite activity. This is beneficial for our health problems described earlier. A side note is that it is possible to use a electric heater alongside of dehumidifier as each will boost the effects of the other.
These electronic devices come in many sizes. You may have one for every room or you can purchase a big unit which you can keep rotating around the home to decrease humidity. They also come in various price ranges and brands. It is important to know your budget and get the best that you can easily afford.
There are three main types of Dehumidifiers. 4 Desiccant – These work better over a
Photo courtesy: philips.com wider range of temperatures. 4Refrigerant /Compressor based –
These will have lower power consumption thus saving you money in long term and work better in warmer climates 4Thermo-Electric Peltier – These are also very energy efficient and can save you loads of money, although they are meant for smaller spaces due to the technology it uses. Theyare also better for warmer climates
When buying a dehumidifier always
look at portability, the size of water collection tank or continuous drain option as well as the filter type. The way dehumidifiers work is by drawing the air in, then filter it, cool it to condense the moisture, then reheat it and to push the warmer, dryer air back into the room. This process causes water to be collected into a tank within the dehumidifier therefore the size of the tank would also matter as you would not want to empty the tank every few hours.
The best thing about a dehumidifier is that you will see it working as you are able to tell by looking at the water tank filling up. Dehumidifier as mentioned earlier are not only for wintertime but are yearlong investment as it helps any home with a poor ventilation and ensures the quality of air is always the highest priority.
Before clicking on purchase on any online deals ensure you have done your homework and looked at various deals as they always vary in pricing as well as quality.
I hope you got the best out of this article and as always any feedback can be passed on to me by email to sarang@ vengurlekar.com
New citizenship test announced in Australia – here’s how it will work
Asection dedicated to Australian values will be included in all tests for hopeful citizens from mid-November, the government has announced on Australian Citizenship Day.
From 15 November 2020, there will be an updated Australian Citizenship Test with a clear focus on Australian values.
Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the test would be updated for the first time in more than a decade to include a dedicated section on Australian values.
“Our Australian values are important. They have helped shape our country and they are the reason why so many people want to become Australian citizens,” Mr Tudge said.
“The updated Citizenship Test will have new and more meaningful questions that require potential citizens to understand and commit to our values like freedom of speech, mutual respect, equality of opportunity, the importance of democracy and the rule of law.
“We are asking those who apply for citizenship to understand our values more deeply before they make the ultimate commitment to our nation.”
The updated Citizenship Test will comprise 20 multiple-choice questions, including five questions on Australian values. A person will be required to correctly answer all five of the questions on Australian values, with a mark of at least 75 per cent overall, to pass the test. There will be no changes to the English language or residency requirements for citizenship.
An updated version of the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond resource is now available for download to assist people to prepare for the test. This includes information on the new Australian values component and an updated practice test. The changes have been announced today to coincide with Australian Citizenship Day. Citizenship Day is an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the meaning of citizenship and the importance of the shared values that unite us. More than 2500 people will receive Australian citizenship at more than 100 ceremonies across the country today. They will join the record 204,000 people who became Australian citizens last year. Despite the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, since 31 March 2020, more than 85,000 people from every state and territory have become Australian citizens in online ceremonies. Citizenship testing has also resumed across Australia, with the exception of Victoria.
From 30 October 2020, most new visa and citizenship applicants will be required to affirm the updated Australian Values Statement (AVS). The updated AVS will better reflect the shared values of Australian society, including the rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association and equality of opportunity for all people in Australia.
What kind of questions will be on the new test?
The updated citizenship test will comprise of 20 multiple choice questions, including five new questions on Australian values. The applicant will be required to correctly answer all five of the questions on values, with a mark of at least 75 per cent overall, to pass the test.
There will be no changes to the English language or residency requirements for
citizenship.
Examples of questions in the new values section include:
4Why is it important that all Australian citizens vote to elect the state and federal parliament? 4Should people in Australia make an effort to learn English? 4In Australia, can you encourage violence against a person or group of people if you have been insulted? 4Should people tolerate one another where they find that they disagree? 4In Australia, are people free to choose who they marry or not marry? 4In Australia, is it acceptable for a husband to be violent towards his wife if she has disobeyed or disrespected him? 4Do you agree that men and women should be provided equality of opportunity when pursuing their goals and interests? 4Should people’s freedom of speech and freedom of expression be respected in
Australia?
These aren’t the exact questions in the test and answers will be multiple choice.
An updated version of the Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond resource will also be made available online to assist those preparing for the test.
Why does citizenship matter?
Edward Quinn was born in India, grew up in Abu Dhabi, and went on to study mechanical engineering. When he decided to do his master’s degree, he chose Australia.
“I initially came to study,” the 31-yearold who lives in Brisbane told SBS News. “There was no real plan beyond that. But once he discovered his degree made him a skilled worker in the eyes of Australia, earning him enough points to apply for permanent residency – and then citizenship – he decided to plan for the future.
It took only four months for Mr. Quinn’s permanent residency to be approved, but citizenship would take some time. While he waited, he earned another master’s degree, this time in intellectual property law. Four years after he first arrived in the country – and after taking the citizenship test – his application was approved.
“I felt a sense of relief when I got that email,” he said. “Knowing that process was ending was a relief because I didn’t engage a migration agent or lawyer or anything. I had taken on the stresses myself.”
After coronavirus delays, Australian citizenship processing resumes in capital cities
He was sworn-in as an Australian citizen on 26 January 2018, a day he’ll never forget.
“I felt incredibly happy and confident. After the ceremony, I felt I could stand up for myself against people who had told me ‘go back to your country’. Now I could tell them, ‘actually, I do belong here, I am Australian’.”
“Although it’s a country, I think of Australia as a person that has helped me, and I feel so grateful,” Mr Quinn said. “I actually signed up to join the Defence Reserves [to give something back]. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet their medical criteria.”
What’s the difference between permanent residency and citizenship?
Generally, permanent residents can live, work, and study permanently in Australia, but they are not entitled to an Australian passport.
Permanent residents do not have an automatic right of entry to Australia and must have a valid permanent visa to return to Australia as a permanent resident. Citizens can leave and re-enter Australia as many times as they want.
Citizens can also vote in federal, state or territory elections, can vote in a constitutional referendum or plebiscite, can seek election to parliament and can register the birth of their children in another country as Australian citizens.
Citizens can also ask for help from an Australian embassy or consulate if they are in trouble overseas.
How many people become Australian citizens each year?
More than five million people have become Australian citizens since it was introduced in 1949. Over the past five years, more than 686,000 people have been granted Australian citizenship, including a record 204,000 people in 2019-20.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 84,000 people across Australia have received Australian citizenship through online ceremonies.A record number of migrants became Australian citizens in 2019-20 despite coronavirus disruption.
The top five countries of origin granted citizenship are currently India, the United Kingdom, China, the Philippines and Pakistan. According to figures released by Mr Tudge’s office on Wednesday, there has been a 27 per cent increase in the number of visas issued during 2019-20. But the demand far outweighs the supply.
What impact has COVID-19 had on the citizenship process?
The Department of Home Affairs says the processing of citizenship applications has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person citizenship appointments and tests were placed on hold for a few months but have now recommenced at all sites except Melbourne.
Due to COVID-19 risks and restrictions, all in-person citizenship ceremonies were placed on hold earlier in the year, before online ceremonies were introduced from 31 March. Some face-to-face ceremonies returned in June. More than 2,500 people will receive their citizenship at more than 100 ceremonies across Australia on Thursday.
Australia’s Poet and Writer Rekha Rajvanshi receives Dr Sarojini Naidu Award
Anu Shivram
Well- known poet and writer of Sydney Rekha Rajvanshi was awarded the prestigious Dr Sarojini Naidu International Award for women 2020 for her contribution to literature The award was the part of the Global Literary Festival organized annually by the Asian Academy of Arts in association with International Women’s Film Forum. Talented women from around the world are nominated for these annual awards.
The 4th edition of this prestigious award was named after India’s great freedom fighter, national leader and poet Dr Sarojini Naidu (1879 - 1949). Dr Naidu’s work as a poet earned her the sobriquet ‘Nightingale of India’. Mr Sandeep Marwah, founder, president and the chancellor of AAFT University and owner of Marwah Studios announced awards on September 18th 2020. Fifteen women were recognised internationally and honoured. This year, the award ceremony was held online due to the COVID 19 pandemic
restrictions.
Rekha Rajvanshi has been making a significant contribution in the field of literature and arts in Australia for the past 20 years. Rekha has authored and edited eight books. She is also an accredited translator. Rekha was awarded Australia’s prestigious AUSIT Award for translating Aboriginal Dreamtime stories from English into Hindi. A strong supporter of languages, Rekha has taught Hindi at various levels in Australia. From young children to adults at CCE Sydney University Rekha has taught a range of students. Rekha has been honoured by various organizations in Australia
and India. She was also invited to attend Sahitya Academy’s IORA poetry festivalWAVES in 2014 and ‘Vishwarang’ Tagore International Festival of Arts and Literature Bhopal in 2019.
Rekha founded Indian Literary and Art Society of Australia Inc. (ILASA) in 2010 to promote literature, languages and arts in Australia and to build the bridge between India and Australia, ILASA has been hosting cultural programs in collaboration with the Consulate General of India and Indian High Commission of Sydney.
Through her society, Rekha has provided a wonderful platform for writers and poets to meet and exchange ideas. Eminent international writers have addressed ILASA’s gatherings and participated in the Kavi sammelans, seminars and art exhibitions in Sydney. ILASA is expanding to other states in Australia and has coordinators in most of the major cities of Australia.
ILASA has focussed on creating appreciation of Indian language and literature among the youth. Various literary competitions and poetry slam sessions are organised regularly in Sydney to encourage the youth who are growing up away from the country and culture of their origin. One of these programs was organised at the NSW Parliament house. ILASA has worked with Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan and Consulate General of India in Sydney and organized a National level Hindi Conference at the University of Sydney.
Rekha was nominated for the award by Dr Sandeep Marwah, president of the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment industry, a renowned film producer and director, who wished her well in future. Rekha humbly says, “I am passionate about my work like many other writers, who don’t do it for an award. But it motivates us to do better when our hard work is recognised. I thank Mr Marwah for this honou, he has always been inspiring.”
Protein Powered- Fish Curry
Each household has its own way of making Fish Curry. This is one version coming your way straight from my kitchen…
And of course, since I have grown up eating this, I will have to say… This!!! My friend is the kind of everyday fish curry recipe that you need in your life.
Now that you are convinced, shall we start?...
Any sliced 1 kg low-fat fish
Blend - 1 tbsp of Sesame seeds, Cumin seeds, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, few chopped garlic and ginger and green chillies as per preferences and little water. Blend! Blend!
Marinate your fish by adding ¼ of the above masala paste, salt and turmeric- I like to cover and keep it in the fridge for 2-3 hours but you can cook it immediately as well.
Fry your marinated Fish in preferred oil (mustard for me) until each side is nice and red (about 4-5 mins each side)
Tired??? You can STOP here and eat it like this especially if your wine/whiskey is asking for a night out.
But since I am quite patient, and it’s still weekdays I’ll continue…
After Frying, in the same pan add 1 chopped onion cook for a minute
Then add ½ tsp turmeric powder and chilli powder, that remaining masala paste and salt – cook these spices well and then add 2 chopped tomatoes. Cook this covered till your tomatoes are fully cooked. Add water as per your curry consistency preference, throw in those fried fish (salt taste here), crop and finally low heat cooking for a few minutes.
Garnish! Here I have coriander from my balcony. We have a post on how this coriander has made it from my balcony to this curry, check it out.
We would love to know how you went…
Recipe by
Spring Fashion
Spring is a delightful season. It’s the time to let go of winter layers and adopt a fresh new look. It’s the season of bright colours, fun styles and quirky prints. These models are flaunting their spring outfits. Be it florals, graphic tees, long dresses, short skirts, colourful sneakers or strapped sandals, they carry what they wear with class and style.
Alpana Srivastava [ Sakhi.Online] chose to showcase a trendy bright pink and blue floral dress which she has accessorised with a simple black choker and a cute sun hat. Her look is all about blossoms and dazzle.
Tiya Gorain [Empowered beauties with brain] paired a bright red tee with a patterned skirt and matching sneakers. Her wavy hairstyle and red lips complete the look. Her outfit is all about girly fun, vibrancy and positive vibes.
John Abraham Starrer ‘Satyameva Jayate 2’ Set to Release on Eid 2021
On September 21, John Abraham took to his Twitter handle and broke the big news. The actor shared that his film, Satyameva Jayate 2, is all set to release on Eid 2021. Satyameva Jayate 2 will release on May 12, 2021. Sharing the intriguing poster, John Abraham wrote, “Jis desh ki maiyya Ganga hai, wahan khoon bhi Tiranga hai! Satyameva Jayate 2 in cinemas on 12th May, EID 2021. #SMJ2EID2021.”
After the lockdown restrictions were eased by the government, several filmmakers and production houses have resumed work while maintaining the safety norms. Satyameva Jayate 2 director Milap Zaveri has been polishing his script in the lockdown too. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar (T-Series), Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, Nikkhil Advani (Emmay Entertainment). After tasting commercial success with their 2018 release, John, Milap and the producers decided to take ahead the franchise with Divya Khosla Kumar opposite John this time. While the first film dealt with corruption, the sequel tackles corruption in all spheres from the police to politicians, industrialists, and the common man.
Changing his shoot location and story from Mumbai to the heart of our nation- Lucknow, director Milap said, “Creatively we changed the script to Lucknow as it gave us a chance to make it massier and also make the canvas larger. Visually also Lucknow adds to the scale and grandeur. The action of this film is gonna be ten times more dynamic, heroic and powerful. John is going to smash, Rip and annihilate the corrupt like he never has before on the silver screen and Divya is going to wow audiences with her power-packed scenes, dramatic prowess, grace and beauty.”
Milap continued, “Satyameva Jayate 2, alike part one, is a film of the masses and is also a celebration of action, music, dialoguebaazi, patriotism and heroism. “Eid” is a perfect occasion to release as it will offer entertainment galore. With Bhushan sir, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani and Nikkhil Advani backing me once again I can promise next year on 12th May we will do our best to deliver a festive bonanza for all audiences!”
Producer Nikkhil Advani added, “As Milap kept developing the subject, he realised that India’s heartland lent itself increasingly to his plotline. As producers, we were happy to pivot to support his creative choices. Hence the story is now based and to be shot in Lucknow, one of my personal favourite cities in India. This is an extremely special film for us. The love shown by fans to the first installment in this franchise has encouraged us to create a bigger, more exciting experience, presenting John Abraham as never seen before. We are hopeful that prevailing circumstances will improve and pave the way for us to reach our audience in theatres once again.”
What Are Master Nu bers I Nu erology? What do you u dersta d he you see repeat g u ber 1?
By: Sanjivani Kalsi
11, 22, and 33 are known as Master numbers. They require unique attention and emphasis and have more potential than the other single digit numbers. They are difficult to handle, highly charged with energy, and take time to be incorporated into an individual’s personality. These three numbers form the Triangle of Enlightenment, where 11 represents vision, 22 vision with action and 33 offers guidance to the world.
The repeating number 1 sequence (in all it’s forms) is most often the first sequence that appears to many people.
Once the 1111 is acknowledged, the number sequence changes to another combination along with new messages, life experiences, directions and opportunities.
Many people associate the repeating 1111 with a ‘wake-up call’, a ‘Code of Activation’ and/or an ‘Awakening Code’, or ‘Code of Consciousness’. It can also be seen as a key to unlock the subconscious mind, and reminds us that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience, rather than physical beings embarking upon spiritual experiences.
Upon noticing a frequency of 1111’s appearing repeatedly, you may begin to see an increase in synchronicities and unlikely and miraculous coincidences appearing in your life.
At times, when you are about to go through a major spiritual awakening or an epiphany of some kind, the number 1111 may appear in your physical reality and experience to signal the upcoming change or shift.
When noticing the Angel Number 1111 appearing, take notice of the thoughts you had right at that moment, as 1111 indicates that your thoughts and beliefs are aligned with your truths. For example, if you held an inspired idea at the time of seeing 1111, it would indicate that it would be a positive and productive idea to take action on.
When Angel Number 1111 appears repeatedly it signifies that an energetic gateway has opened up for you, and this will rapidly manifest your thoughts into reality. The message is to choose your thoughts wisely, ensuring that they match your true desires. Do not put your energy into focusing on fears as you may manifest them into your life.
Angel Number 1111 is a message from your angels to be very aware of your persistent thoughts and ideas as these are manifesting quickly into your reality. Ensure that your beliefs, thoughts and mind-sets are positive and optimistic in order to draw the energies of abundance and balance into your life. Be aware that you will manifest your thoughts, therefore, do not think negative thoughts as these are what you will draw into your life. Use the positive energies of the Universe to bring to fruition your deepest desires, hopes and dreams. Angel Number 1111 signifies that an energetic gateway has opened up for you, and this will rapidly manifest your thoughts into your reality. There is an opportunity opening up for you, and your thoughts are manifesting them into form at lightning speed. Angel Number 1111 is similar to the bright light of a flashbulb. It means that the Universe has just taken a snapshot of your thoughts and is manifesting your ideas, thoughts and beliefs into material form, creating your experiences and realities. When you recognize an Angel Number 1111 sequence appearing to you frequently, take note of your thoughts at the time that they occur. When a series of 1111’s appear, monitor your thoughts carefully and be sure to only think about what it is you really want, not what you don’t want. Choose your thoughts wisely, and do not put your focus towards your fears, as they may manifest.
Pay special attention to your thoughts and ideas as these are revealing the answers to your prayers. Your positive affirmations and optimistic attitude will help to manifest your desires and help you to achieve your goals and aspirations. They will also assist you with serving your spiritual life purpose and soul mission.
Good Vibezzzz Only
Zoom workshop for Lean In Inc
It was a momentous moment for Lean In Inc as it held its inaugural virtual workshop event for migrant women on the 19th of September 2020. The event was well attended and provided an opportunity for participants to gain valuable knowledge on various topics to help gain employment as well as to build connections in Australia.
Lean In Inc is a not for profit organisation dedicated to supporting newly arrived migrant women settle into Australia. The organisation has held numerous workshops since its inception focussing on employability skills, knowledge of Australian culture as well building networks and connections.
The inspiration speaker for the event was Khushboo Punjabi ,the founder of Knack Track recruitment. Khushboo’s presentation truly inspired the participants with her jour
ney as a new migrant to now owning her own recruitment company. She described how she had attended a mentee program that was organised by Mrs Sue Advani, also a founding member of Lean In Inc, whose guidance and advice helped her to get the confidence to start her career in Sydney to subsequently now owning her own recruitment agency. Khushboo also presented a very informative session on how to write a cover letter and a CV.
Mr Ankit Sharma, a senior recruiter from Modis, described how his parents had migrated to Australia when he was a child and the challenges they faced as new migrants. His presentation on the classification of jobs available in Australia, agency and internal roles, branding and preparation for roles as well as interview techniques was very insightful and relevant for the participants.He also touched on finding the gatekeeper and the elevator pitch to raise interest.
The next presenter Heena Bawazir described how despite having senior roles in India in reputable companies, she had to take junior roles when she first migrated to Australia. She is now a senior recruiter with Canva and her engrossing presentation focused on looking for the right job and tips for the application and the negotiation process which was useful for the participants.
Lean In Inc is entirely run by volunteers and is very grateful to the three presenters who gave up their time to provide pertinent information and skills and tips to the participants. The workshop was very well received by the participants who described the presentations as very useful, clear and detail orientated as well as having a practical approach. The project is very generously sponsored by the NSW government.
Promote migration, introduce a new work visa for post-COVID-19 economic recovery, CEDA tells government
It is time to encourage migration of highly skilled migrants, bring back international students and introduce a new work visa to kick-start national post-COVID economic recovery, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has said. Skilled Immigrants will be crucial to Australia’s economic recovery and the government should resist any policy to impose extreme restrictions on them, CEDA has said. Instead, it wants the government to promote migration and make the most of this time to attract the best talent in the world as other countries impose blanket restrictions on migrants, the think-tank has advised.
Key Points
A new paper by CEDA recommends
promoting migration, bringing back international students CEDA tells government to introduce new work visa to attract big multinationals Extend JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments to temporary visa holders
“Migration has been a key driver of Australia’s economic development and will continue to be so in the decades ahead,” CEDA Chief Economist, Jarrod Ball said. “What we have got to be thinking about is, as we recover, what are the settings that are going to get us the best migration that we can get and being competitive globally.”
“We have seen a number of countries like the United States make quite big blanket decisions around ceasing skilled migration for the time being. So, there is a real opportunity, I think for Australia, to put itself out there and make sure it is attracting migrants into the recovery phase.”
These temporary migrants will ‘be prioritized first’ to come to Australia as borders remain shut. CEDA research states migrants generally return to their home country in periods of an economic downturn but due to the current border closures, this has not been the case. It points out that the departure of migrants could prove to be detrimental for the economy.
Not just big cities, regional Australia needs migrants too
Adelaide-based registered migration agent Mark Glazbrook agreed migration is crucial to Australia’s economic
recovery but says the government also needs to keep regional centres, outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, in mind.
“The CEDA report is interesting but is focused on highly skilled migration which will certainly benefit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. It is time that CEDA and the Australian Government consider the benefits of demand-driven migration, especially in regional Australia,” Mr. Glazbrook said.
“Australia has been relatively successful in controlling the spread of the virus; this sets us up to be an attractive destination for the world’s best and brightest,” Mr Ball said.
“We should use this period to improve on our skilled migration system to ensure that when the borders open up again, Australia is the destination of choice for the best and brightest.”
Introduce New Work Visa
CEDA recommends the government introduce an intra-company transfer visa to assist multinational businesses looking to invest and expand their operations in Australia.
“It is really recognition that large multinationals have quite globally mobile executives who move around different locations and they are generally trusted operators in the visa system.”
“So enabling them, to be able to move their resources around the world more easily is important and I think, also, providing an incentive for bringing more of their resources, here in Australia, is important, especially at a time, in which we will be wanting businesses to grow and for more people to be located here so that we can grow on the other side of this crisis,” Mr. Ball said.
Bring back international students
CEDA has also said the government should restart the flow of international students as soon as it is safe to do so to support the international education sector which contributed over $37 billion to the Australian economy last year and supported 240,000 jobs.
“Migration is critical to Australia’s
economic recovery due to its impact and relationship to ageing, unemployment, the demographics of our workforce and population base, productivity, fertility, economic activity, employment and training, current and future workforce demand, business sustainability, regional depopulation, including international student enrolments in regional areas and Net Interstate Migration (NIM) loss as all of these metrics will be impacted in either a positive or negative way depending on the future structure and settings of the migration program, in particular, Australia’s regional and low population growth programs,” he said.
In her paper on fiscal policy and gender, Associate Professor Hill notes that the government will have many opportunities to adopt gender-responsive measures in the care sectors. This could be through an overhaul of public funding for childcare and more investment in social infrastructure such as education, health and care services, rather than the current focus on large infrastructure projects that disproportionately employ men.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer
Nominations are open for the 2021 City of Parramatta Australia Day Awards, which honour local heroes who make outstanding contributions to the community.
“Australia Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the unsung heroes who have gone above and beyond for our community, particularly during this difficult year,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer said.
“I encourage you to nominate a person or organisation that you believe has helped make our City a better place, whether through the arts, education, welfare, volunteering, sports, or an act of kindness.”
Nomination categories this year include: Citizen of the Year
Individuals who have made a noteworthy contribution to the City of Parramatta, by age group:
4 Junior Citizen of the Year in honour of
David Shakespeare OAM: 19 years and under 4 Young Adult Citizen of the Year: 20 – 39 years old 4 Adult Citizen of the Year: 40 – 59 years old 4 Senior Citizen of the Year: 60 years and over
Community Group Award
A local group or organisation that has provided an outstanding contribution to the City of Parramatta community, including projects and events.
Last year’s winner of the City of Parramatta Citizen of the Year award, NSW Ambulance Inspector Kevin McSweeney, said he was humbled to be formally recognised for his decades of service.
In 2015, Mr McSweeney founded the Michael Hughes Foundation, a Parramattabased charity that teaches the public how to perform CPR and use defibrillators.
“When I was recognised as the Parramatta Citizen of the Year, it was a massive thrill and honour for me,” Mr McSweeney said.
“If you’re thinking about nominating someone – do it! The City of Parramatta Australia Day Awards encourage people who help the community to strive even further.”
Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday 18 November.
Council will host the 2021 City of Parramatta Australia Day Awards on Thursday 21 January 2021 at Rosehill Gardens.
For more information and to submit a
On the 17th of March 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that all Australian citizens must return home at the earliest and quarantine. Whilst some were able to return immediately, many others could not with over 35,000 Australian citizens still stranded overseas.
I came to India in February as my Dad was critical in the ICU, on a Ventilator. As his condition was deteriorating, I postponed my initial return ticket that was on the 10th of March to the 30th of March. Fortunately, he was weaned off the Ventilator successfully and was able to go home. COVID cases meanwhile were rapidly increasing worldwide and return flights to Australia became sparse. As my tickets were booked for the 30th of March, I thought I was safe and could get back without any issue. Unfortunately, the Indian government announced an immediate lockdown starting from 25th of March with little notice and the airline I was booked on sent an email saying that my ticket was cancelled due to the closure of Australia’s borders.
Last week, I was approached by Sky News Australia for an interview on “Weekend Live,” to elucidate the reality of the hardships Australians abroad are experiencing, and more importantly dispel the rumors that we ‘chose’ to stay overseas. Most of us were incapacitated in our ability to modify our travel plans as strict border restrictions, local government policies and price gouging resulted in thousands fighting for a handful of return tickets.
In my case, the few Indian charter flights were operating from cities with Australian consular offices like Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. However, if you were not in those cities when Modi announced the lockdown it became impossible to reach those cities for months as state borders were closed. It is now over six months and I am still stuck overseas, away from my family in Sydney. Al
though there are new flights occasionally chartered, tickets are often sold in minutes and distributed on the black market.
My days here often feel the same. I sit at the computer every day incessantly scouring the net for some hope – new flights, more compassionate policies from our government…. I have come to accept that the answers we desperately seek from our government is not near as the world still plays catch-up in developing a COVID-normal world. Scott Morrison has painted the country’s strict policy as a necessary solution to avoid the rampant proliferation of the virus evidenced in other countries with looser restrictions such as the United States. This approach was fair a few months ago especially when COVID was rampant due to border
mismanagement, adapting public health legislation, and poor quarantine procedures. Surely now the government can start prioritizing our cases and make concerted efforts to repatriate its citizens instead of propagating the ‘trying our level best’ mantra that has become dull to our ears. My family back home in Sydney say life has for the most part returned to normal; fewer are wearing masks, lower community transmission, and no more shopping fiascos!
Apart from my job, we have all lost so much these past few months, and the only thing we want now is to be with our families. I have found solace in the many groups that were formed across the world on Facebook, Whatsapp and Telegram. Here strangers from around the world are each other’s pillar of support as we share our stories, fears, frustrations with this situation.
“We feel our voice has been silenced - especially Australian citizens of subcontinental ethnicity. As Australian citizens
the federal government has a duty of responsibility and protection towards ALL its citizens.” – says a user from the Stranded Australians in India Facebook group.
Speaking with Danica Giorgio from Sky News, she asked me how my family was coping. It was a simple question, but one that took me by surprise as everyone thus far has been focused on the stranded and have forgotten that our families are sharing this grief and suffering too. It was great to know that someone understood and still cared.
Many people have asked me how could the government have improved this situation or made things easier for us? And I always tell them that we just sought transparent and continuous communication, rather than becoming their political puppets. I understand Australia’s unique situation as an Island nation means stricter quarantine procedures, but there is surely a more economical and efficient solution that is compliant with public health legislation rather than just locking us out. Whilst Australia’s response to COVID has largely served as a successful example to the international community, its negligent and dismissive response efforts towards reuniting citizens overseas has been appalling. These tough regulations have raised the political and legislative ire of many Australians as the right to freedom of movement has left many citizens in mental, financial, and physical strife across the world.
My story echoes with thousands of others who have been sequestered and isolated due to Australia’s strict border policy. I have become tired of the government’s response and just want to return home and celebrate Christmas with family again – this will be the greatest gift of all. Recently, the travel cap increased but this does not solve any problems as there are still limited tickets and exorbitant airline fees. I’m still waiting for a ticket.
CRIMINAL LAW • FAMILY LAW • IMMIGRATION LAW
