New laws for overseas workers

The Northern Territory is facing a labour shortage due to the resources boom. According to Treasurer Delia Lawrie, the multi-billion dollar Ichthys gas plant alone will require nearly 20,000 extra workers over the next four years. The Territory would still be short of workers even after training locals and recruiting people from interstate, she said.

As a result of this, the Northern Territory is now allowed to welcome overseas workers following a government migration agreement with Immigration Minister Chris Bowen and the Federal government. It is considered a positive step to help fill the Territory's skill shortage.

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen agreed to negotiate a migration agreement for skilled workers with the Northern Territory before other states. It is envisaged that the new regional migration agreement will help the Territory fill its skill shortage using workers from overseas.

That agreement will be especially helpful for smaller Australian businesses that lose workers over the next five years to the resources boom, says the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce.

According to Chamber Chief Executive Officer Chris Young, the new system should be faster and easier than the 457 visa application process for temporary overseas workers. The new scheme would speed up the application process and shorten the process to no more than three months.

Smaller employers, who can demonstrate that they have genuinely tried to find local employees, will be able to very quickly get an approval to bring in foreign staff, Mr Young says.

Prepared by Bob Woodward & Associates: offering you business consultancy, accounting, payroll administration and ancillary services in Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory.
http://www.woodwards.co/

Commemorating the attack on Darwin

February 19th marks 70 years since the first attack on Australian soil in 1942. It took place in Darwin and was the beginning of a 21-month raid on Australia's north. It is a day to commemorate, not to celebrate.

The official government death toll was more than 240 with hundreds more casualties. Many others died and were injured in subsequent attacks on Northern Australia over those following 21 months. It was a defining moment in Australia’s history: it highlighted the fortitude of those living in Darwin and the Australian spirit.

The events of 19 February 1942 were calculated  by the enemy, and was as shocking as the attack on Pearl Harbour just weeks before. It brought the war home to a country previously untouched by foreign conflict.

A new World War Two Heritage Park, thirty kilometre south of Darwin will help us remember that dark period of Darwin’s history It is located on land where the US Army 147th Artillery established a base at that time and includes an educational facility.

The Defence of Darwin Experience is an audio visual installation that introduces the war in the north and attack on Darwin. It will become the new entry point to the Military Museum. Let us hope that it helps future generations to understand the horrors and  the futility of war.

This year will be one of the last opportunities to hear first-hand accounts from surviving veterans and civilians who fought for the defence of our country.

To all our friends, family and colleagues who lost loved ones in that terrible period, we send our sincerest and fondest best wishes. Let it never happen again.

Prepared by Bob Woodward & Associates: offering you business consultancy, accounting, payroll administration and ancillary services in Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory.
http://www.woodwards.co/