Government behind boom in Chinese business and skilled visas
THE number of Chinese business and skilled migrants sponsored by the State Government to settle in Tasmania has jumped nearly 900 per cent in five years.
Tasmania
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THE Greens say the Hodgman Liberal Government is “unhealthily close” to the Chinese Communist regime as the number of state-sponsored visas from the country soars.
Visa applications by Chinese business and skilled migrants backed by the State Government to settle in Tasmania have jumped nearly 900 per cent in five years.
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor on Thursday said the Government needed to explain why such a big increase was in Tasmania’s best interests.
Figures released by Treasurer Peter Gutwein reveal the number of visa applications backed by the State Government under business and skilled migration visa classes rose from 59 in 2013-14 to 572 last financial year.
“We believe the relationship between the Hodgman Liberals and the Chinese Communist government is unhealthily close,” Ms O’Connor said.
“Will Hodgman is being played by the Chinese Communist party because he only understands the value of something if it’s got a dollar sign in front of it.
“He is putting Tasmania’s sovereignty, food security and environment in jeopardy.”
The number of Chinese skilled and business visa holders being sponsored by the State Government is equivalent to about 10 per cent of the state’s annual population growth. And the increase comes on top of booming tourist numbers from China — 38,000 visitors spending $497 million a year — and a record 2700 students, mainly at the University of Tasmania.
But Ms O’Connor said Tasmania needed to tread carefully.
“The Chinese government is aggressively expanding its influence throughout the Pacific region, Europe and Africa,” she said.
“It expects Chinese people living overseas to be loyal to China first, at times targeting the families of people living overseas if they speak up against the oppressive Chinese Communist government they left behind.
“On human rights and the environment, China has an appalling record. These are values most Tasmanians treasure.”
The increase in visas reflects a growing interest in Tasmania from China in the wake of the 2014 visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein explained the numbers in an answer to questions raised by the Greens during recent Budget Estimates hearings.
“As the number of state nominations Tasmania can offer annually is capped by the Department of Home Affairs, every application for state nomination goes through a highly rigorous assessment process,” he said.
“Each application is assessed individually, with a focus on nominating business and skilled migrants who can provide critical support to businesses and industries by filling temporary skills shortages in critical areas such as our health, agricultural and hospital sectors and generate jobs through the establishment of new businesses in Tasmania.
“State Growth uses criteria relating to employability and capacity to succeed in business to evaluate applications.
“Country of origin is not a determining factor in whether to issue a nomination.”
Mr Gutwein’s response noted that arrivals from China and India made up the bulk of skilled migrants nationally.
Meanwhile, a $100 million plan by a Chinese-Australian developer to build a “a famous town that integrates cultural tourism, leisure and holiday care” at Swansea has run into strong local opposition.
Initial plans for Cambria Green are before Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council.
Also on Thursday, it was revealed former premier Paul Lennon had signed on with a Chinese venture capital firm with $1 billion to spend.
Mr Lennon’s lobbying firm Paramul Pty Ltd added Tsing Capital (Australia) to its list of clients.
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