The botched case of Dr Muhammad Haneef

14/10/2008 0 Comments read Health & Science, Migration

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 2007- 2008 (IANS): Dr Muhammad Haneef, an Indian doctor working in Gold Coast (Queensland), was wrongly accused and detained on terrorism charges linked to the Glasgow international airport attack in 2007.

On 24^th December 2010, he received a formal apology, and substantial compensation from the Australian Government. In a statement, the Australian Federal Police said that it “acknowledges that it was mistaken and that Dr Haneef was innocent of the offence of which he was suspected. The Commonwealth apologises and hopes that the compensation to be paid to Dr Haneef will mark the end of an unfortunate chapter and allow Dr Haneef to move forward with his life and career.”

Earlier, The Clarke Inquiry Report 21st November 2008, had cleared him of any wrongdoing and concluded that mistakes had been made. The litany of errors by the Australian police and the government had not only stained the reputation and career prospects of the young doctor, but it also had a major backlash on Indian doctors in Australia.

Continue reading →

Australia entices tourists to come `Walkabout’

08/10/2008 0 Comments read Indigenous, Travel

Rottnest Island, Western Australia Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 08.10.2008 (IANS): Australia is enticing international tourists to come and lose themselves in the remarkable landscape, unique culture and warmth of its people through a global tourism campaign launched Wednesday that leverages on an outback movie starring Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman.

The Australian $50 million (US$32 million) campaign, which will run in cinema, on television, print and online, across 22 countries, including India, puts the spotlight on the outback and indigenous Aboriginal culture.

“We want the growing Indian middle class to go beyond Sydney-Melbourne-Gold Coast and experience the real outback Australia and its indigenous culture,” Tourism Australia managing director Geoff Buckley told IANS Wednesday.

Continue reading →

Indians are second largest group of skilled migrants in Australia

22/07/2008 0 Comments read Diaspora, Migration

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 22.07.2008 (IANS): Indians have become the second largest group of skilled migrants arriving on Australian shores under the temporary skilled migration programme during 2007-2008, according to new data released Tuesday by Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Evans.

While almost a quarter of the temporary workers came from the UK, India came second with 14 percent followed by the Philippines at nine percent and South Africa at six percent.

To meet the severe national skills shortages, especially in professional occupations and highly skilled jobs, as many as 110,570 visas were granted under the temporary skilled migration programme last year, a 27 percent increase on the previous year’s 87,310.

Continue reading →