I’m a Team Australia reject – and the marketing mercenaries who follow will be too
The new visa system will create an army of marketing mercenaries with no incentive except to plunder as much as they can during a two-year stint Down Under, argues Mumbrella’s Tim Burrowes, who came to Australia a decade ago on the now-axed 457 visa.
Last month, it dawned on me that I was facing quite a big dilemma.
The realisation came as I watched the third test in Australia’s thrilling tour of India.
After 10 years of living in Sydney, not only was I no longer looking out for how England were doing in the cricket, I was now going to bed late to cheer on Australia.
Bravo! Well articulated argument documenting an overlooked issue for those on 457s. These have been exactly my points in discussion with those who agree with Turnbull. No skilled professional would uproot their life for a two-year contract without the option to stay permanently… unless there was a monetary gain. And let’s face it, Sydney is one of the most expensive cities to live, and having to pay rent (as you wouldn’t own a house), and tax, atop other living expenses, doesn’t leave you with much in the pot. So what’s the lure if the residency aspect is removed?? The only people who would be happy to come over for a 2-year contract will be young, baggage-free workers – which defeats the purpose as they won’t have the experience needed. Those who offer a deep, rich skill set would never uproot their life for 2-years – unless Australia could offer them a fantastic package such as a top-end salary, possibly free rent – even tax-free? And that’s not going to happen.
It’s the Scottish I feel sorry for – they’ll never pass the language test.
Does anyone know when the new regulations are effective? I’m not 100% sure but you might still be able to apply for citizenship. I haven’t been able to find any details on the timeline.
Legitimately laughed out loud at your suggestion that somehow the Australian tax payer should foot the bill by offering a tax free salary so overpaid foreigners can come over and take jobs that locals could be doing. Granted there are some industries where foreign workers are necessary to function, but marketing/advertising is certainly not one of them
I doubt they will ever be effective. Populist, yes. Effective, no.
You clearly missed the British irony in that suggestion… And saying foreign workers are not necessary for one of the most foreign-populated industries (marketing/advertising) to function is also ironic
Hi LOL,
I’d laugh at that suggestion too. But I haven’t made it.
That would be madness. And I’m not quite sure where you’ve got that idea from.
When they are negotiating for temporary talent, employers will now be competing directly in the same pool for people who are looking at big (tax free or otherwise) salaries in other parts of the world. And they will no longer have the benefit of making a life in Australia as the selling point. So it will cost more salary.
Which of course actually means more tax for the government, I guess.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Tim, you’re taking leave of your senses; after the best part of thirty years of cricketing slaughter by the Aussies, why would you jump ship just as vengeance is about to be wreaked!
By the way, I know Australians who’ve lived in the UK for decades and not one of them has ever contemplated barracking for the Poms.
As for the 457 issue, at this point, it’s a hastily adopted, populist policy change. I’ve no doubt that it will evolve into something more sensible, as has already been signalled in academia, I believe. There’s no doubt that it needed amendment, though; why on earth would Waiters be a protected species! In many cases, it’s been a lazy, and relatively cheap substitute for growing your own.
I’ll miss you.
I see it is mainly the 457 holders who have an issue…. Maybe a focus on growing talent at home due to necessity is a good thing….plus 2 years living in paradise will likely still be the best time of most Poms lives and let’s face it, programmatic will take care of the media buyers and we can’t do any more half prices on the retailing side…..
Is that the real Mark Holden you’re Facebook buddies with?
Unfortunately you Tim like many others are caught in a net that was never designed to catch you. Kind of like a turtle in a tuna net.
The purpose is to eliminate unskilled freeloaders who seek to gain all of the benefits without reciprocating commitment to Australia, in every respect. It’s essential that those who seek to treat Australia as a free 5-star hotel, paid for by others, are called to account and made to shape-up, or ship out. Our patience is at an end.
Citizenship applications made before 20 April are subject to old rules. New rules will apply from that date.
I’m in the current series of Bondi Rescue but Dutton says now I have to wait two more years to be Aussie enough to apply for citizenship? FFS!
@Anonymous if you see Dutton in difficulty at Bondi while you are rescuing he is actually just waving, not drowning. Wave back.