Advisory Board Appointments

Advisory Board Appointments

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) congratulates representatives on their appointment to the Advisory Board to the new Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). The MIA welcomes the experienced and formidable group who have a strong history of involvement with the migration advice profession.

MIA's nominated representative, Stirling Henry, has 25 years experience in the migration advice profession as a solicitor, migration agent and inaugural National President of the MIA. Mr Henry's appointment is a valuable addition to the advisory board which includes representatives from consumer groups, the not-for-profit sector, university, community and the Law Council of Australia.

"This new Advisory board will have a range of challenges in overseeing and balancing the potential for conflicts of interest for the Immigration Department as the regulator." says Maurene Horder, CEO of the Migration Institute of Australia. "The new Office under DIAC effectively means that registered agents, who advocate for the consumer to the Department, will be controlled by the same Department."

"It's pleasing to note Board appointment of former WA Senator Jim McKiernan was Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration for its 1995 publication, Protecting the Vulnerable which highlighted problems with Department governance and which recognised the importance of consumer protection in this field."

The Institute worked with a strong group of professional groups and community advocates to call for a shift towards an independent regulatory body to ensure consumer protection and best regulatory practice.

The Institute continues to advocate strongly for the formation of an independent Migration Consumer Complaints Commission.

Available for Interview:
Maurene Horder
Chief Executive Officer
Migration Institute of Australia

Contact:
Tara Grimshaw
Communications Manager
Phone: 0410 532 995
Email: [email protected]


SOURCE: Migration Institute of Australia