Leaked files spark Aussie probe into massive immigration fraud

Last week, the Australian immigration minister ordered an immediate probe into the abuse of skilled migrant visas by crime networks across the country.

The investigation, ordered by Scott Morrison, will involve the air arrivals of migrants entering the country under the skilled migration visa scheme. According to the minister, it will also focus on serious failings in the country’s immigration department.

It’s claimed that secret government files have revealed that allegations of corruption and fraud networks across the entire country had not been investigated due to lack of funds and human resources. Up to 90 per cent of recently issued skilled migration visas may have been obtained fraudulently, according to the files.

According to Morrison, most of the suspected immigration fraud took place under the previous Labour government, but admitted that his own department had been told to give immediate answers to a number of crucial questions. The minister added that he and his department are totally committed to ensuring the integrity of the essential skilled migrant programme.

Morrison said he would wait for answers from the immigration department before deciding on appropriate action, but hinted that a crackdown was urgently needed. The leaked files, he said, indicated that tens of thousands of applicants in the humanitarian, family, student and working visa categories had also been assisted to enter the country by established crime networks.