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The Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil, has called for a migration sponsorship program in the area of cyber security to shore up Australia’s cyber defences.
In a Twitter thread, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O’Neil has called for a migration program incorporating sponsorship for people with cyber security skills after taking part at the Albanese government’s Job Summit.
"We need to think about ways to include sponsorship opportunities for emerging jobs and industries that supports the development of our sovereign capabilities.
"We need a future that is Australian-made. One of those critical sovereign capabilities is cyber security," O’Neil said.
The current situation represents a good opportunity to "better define and manage cyber skills across the workforce," O’Neil added, asserting that skills in the cyber security area are needed.
"Unless we have a thriving, diverse cyber skilled workforce, we will continue to suffer the high financial costs that cyber incidents impose on the economy and on us as individuals.
"If we are going to keep our economic miracle alive, we’ll need more help," O’Neil said.
The coronavirus pandemic has given the country an opportunity to reform its immigration system, O’Neil noted, and pointed out that the absence of migration for that period of time and a ban on travel into and out of the country highlighted Australia's dependency on migration.
"Of all the challenges we face – immigration isn't the only answer to them.
"But it's part of the answer to every challenge we face, and it is the biggest lever we have.
"And I want Australia to pull it,” O’Neil further explained.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese flagged the need to rethink the migration process at the Jobs and Skills Summit, as it has become a complex exercise for individuals to come to the country to live or work.
"For the first time in our history, Australia is not the first choice for the world’s skilled migrants.
"Those best and brightest minds on the move are instead looking to live in countries like Canada, Germany and Israel.
“No wonder, when moving to Australia has become so complex: 70 unique visa programs, each with their own criteria and subcategories; hundreds of labour agreements and multiple skilled occupation lists; an outdated ICT processing system that is not fit for purpose," O’Neil concluded.
[Related: Australian Department of Health awards archTIS new contract]
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