May at Nomos
Winter certainly announced its imminent arrival with dropping temperatures throughout the month of May. While you’re keeping warm, take a look at a snapshot of the month that’s been from the Nomos perspective:
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- The biggest news of the month (and perhaps the year!) is the inauguration of a new Federal Government following election day on 21 May. The Coalition and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison were swept from power in an election that saw a record number of Independent candidates vaulted into parliamentary positions. Our new Prime Minister the Hon. Anthony Albanese has also announced his first full ministry including the appointment of the Hon. Clare O’Neil MP as the Minster for Home Affairs and the Hon Andrew Giles MP as the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. Minister Giles has since been sworn into this role. The Labor Party outlined its key goals with respect to its skilled immigration policy in November 2021, which include the meeting of skills shortages, the protection of local employment opportunities and working conditions, and the prevention of migrant worker exploitation (particularly with regard to people on Student and Working Holiday visas). We will certainly be keeping our ears to the ground as new policies are announced and unfold in the wake of the change in government.
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- One of the first actions of the new government was to honour one of their election promises by granting the Murugappan family bridging visas that will allow them to return to their home in Biloela. Nades, Priya and their daughters Kopika and Tharnicaa have been in detention since 2018, first on Christmas Island and then subsequently in community detention in Perth after Tharnicaa required medical treatment in Perth in 2021. Whilst campaigning, the Labor party promised that the family would be given permission to return to Biloela and the Acting Minister for Home Affairs moved quickly to follow this through, making his decision on 27 May. We celebrate this sensible and compassionate decision and we congratulate the family, their supporters and their immigration lawyer Carina Ford and her team on this long overdue decision.
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- The Australian Pro Bono Centre celebrated National Pro Bono Day on 17 May this year by publishing 20 stories from Australian law firms that have taken the initiative to be involved in the pro bono community, each one conveying the importance of pro bono work to the community and individuals. With a strong commitment to pro bono work, Nomos was included amongst these 20 stories of change. You can read our full story here.
That’s the Nomos wrap-up for May. See you next month!
*This is general information only, as at the date of publication, and should not be interpreted as legal advice. For an accurate and current assessment of your circumstances and visa options, please contact us to receive this advice.
