INDIA NEWS
Jan 1-15, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 13
SEASON’S GREETINGS
New Year greetings from Dr Vagish Singh, President, IMA Australia It is my great pleasure to write to you the final report for the year 2020 and definitely welcome 2021. As we look back 2020 has been a tumultuous year for the profession, and the entire population and in particular our patients. We have had good leadership in Australia that has allowed us to escape the ferocity of the COVID-19 pandemic that is still ravaging the Northern Hemisphere countries. Our profession has made many and untold sacrifices with time, money and ultimately sometimes their lives. Professional safety has been an issue not just here, but around the world.
Our IMA in Australia has done an outstanding job together with various regional organizations in helping students and travellers of all nationalities. Our Virtual Clinics have been an absolute hit in furthering healthcare for the most needy in society. Our IMA members have also contributed to community meetings and written healthcare articles in their respective fields. There is however hope on the horizon with four vaccines almost ready to be approved by February 2021, and two that have had emergency approval. The vaccination strategy for delivery is still in development. There are treatments with antivirals,
monoclonal antibodies that have shown benefit in treating the SARS-COV-2 virus infection. We still need to remain vigilant and rigorously practice social distancing and risk aversion. In Japan the call was to avoid the “three Cs”, closed spaces with poor ventilation, crowded places open to the public, and close contact settings. This has resulted in lifting of the state of emergency. On another note, with travel not permitted, our profession has soldiered on holding virtual scientific and educational meetings worldwide with relative ease of participation and helping us keep up to date with all
developments in all respective fields. On a cardiac note, the success story has been of SGLT2 inhibitors with multiple trials showing benefit in heart failure, reducing hospitalizations, influencing morbidity and mortality, reducing the progression of chronic kidney disease irrespective of diabetic status, meaning non-diabetics benefit just as much. Another interesting study was the SAMSON trial affirming the myopathic side-effects of statin therapy, but also confirming the nocebo effect of placebo. I wish all of you the best for the festive season, to celebrate the simple things in life, and
substantially better and thriving New Year. Dr Vagish Singh President Indian Medical Association of Australia (Queensland)
Request for community Visa changes and stringent rules for business migrants to Australia announced news, event videos, photos from all states Dear Indian community members, There is always so much happening within the Indian community throughout Australia, but the community news and happenings hardly get the attention they deserve. India News understands that it is not possible for us to report well without the support from and involvement of the community members. From those at the helm of community organisations in all states and territories, we request
editorial information, in the form of periodic press releases, information on upcoming events organised by you, and breaking news stories (along with photos) originating from your organisation. We also need any videos taken of the events and happenings at your oranisation, entity or business house. All editorial information, flyers, event details, videos can be sent to our email: info@indianews. com.au. Editor, India News
The Australian government recently declared that it is planning to reduce business and visa categories from nine to four, in a bid to aid Australia’s postCOVID-19 economic recovery. The changes will be effectively implemented from July 1, 2021.
Currently, the Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP), consists of three visas and nine streams for applicants who have exhibited a track record of success or acumen in business, investment and innovation. However, these streams will now be scaled down to merely four, namely, Business Innovation, Entrepreneur, Investor, and Significant Investor. This is in tandem with Prime Minister Morrison’s latest visa changes that are desirous of boosting foreign investment, which is imperative to the country’s economic recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Expressing his optimism regarding the changes, Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge on December 17 commented that with the reformations in the BIIP, optimization of the economic contribution of crucial investors would be imminent. He further said that the migration programme for the upcoming year is evidently laying emphasis on job creators, those in possession of vital skills and migrants who intend to invest in Australia’s future.
Transformations in visa eligibility criteria One of the most noteworthy changes has been made to the eligibility requirements for procuring a Business Innovation visa. This visa permits successful applicants to set up a new business venture or run an already existing one in Australia. However, new applicants will find it much more difficult to
prove their business expertise as the eligibility conditions have been made much more stringent. Moreover, following the changes coming into effect, Business Innovation visa holders will have to possess business assets worth $ 1.25 million instead of the hitherto $800,000 and must record a yearly turnover of $750,000 as compared to $500,000 previously. On the other hand, the minimum $200,000 funding limit which is requisite for Entrepreneur visa applicants will be discontinued from July 2021. Furthermore, new applicants will not be allowed to apply for the Premium Investor, Significant Business History and Venture Capital Entrepreneur visas from the same date. Provisional visas for BIIP migrants who come to Australia will now be valid for five years instead of four thus, giving additional time to fulfill permanent visa requirements.
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