The Albanese Government has today announced the appointment of Dr Martin Parkinson SC PSM, Dr Joanna Howe and Mr John Azarias to guide a comprehensive review of Australia’s migration system.
The Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon. Clare O’Neil, announced the review at the Jobs and Skills Summit on 2 September 2022.
Minister O’Neil said she wants to ensure that Australia’s migration system is designed to meet the challenges facing Australia in the coming decades.
“This review and a new national strategy,
A Migration System for Australia’s Future, will ensure the migration system serves Australia’s national interests and complements the skills and capabilities of Australian workers.”
“The Strategy will outline the objectives of our migration system and guide future reform. It will focus on enhancing Australia’s productivity and providing businesses with the skilled workers they need, while assisting migrants to build new and prosperous lives in Australia.”
“The review will also address some of the challenges facing Australia, including our aging population, climate change, and emerging technology,” Minister O’Neil said.
Three eminent Australians have been appointed to guide the review and conduct extensive consultations across Government with migrants, unions, business, States and Territories and key stakeholder groups:
- Dr Martin Parkinson AC PSM – Chancellor of Macquarie University and former Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Secretary to the Treasury, inaugural Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, and as an International Monetary Fund official.
- Dr Joanna Howe – Associate Professor in Law at the University of Adelaide and a consultant with Harmers Workplace Lawyers. Dr Howe is a leading expert on the legal regulation of temporary labour migration and was appointed to the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration in 2021.
- Mr John Azarias – former senior partner at Deloitte in Sydney and former member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Skilled Migration. Mr Azarias has carried out reviews commissioned by the Commonwealth Government in the areas of defence, immigration, foreign affairs and trade, and agriculture, as well as a review of the Board of Treasurers for State and Territory Treasurers.
Terms of reference and more information about the Review is available on the
Home Affairs website.
