04 February 2008

Australian immigration campaign launched in UK

Australia is launching a new campaign to try and promote Australian immigration to people in the UK, which will feature slogans such as "Screw Staines, hello Adelaide". The aggressive campaign will also feature phrases such "Sod London house prices" as the Australian government aims to promote Australian immigration in order to solve skills shortages.

Bill Muirhead, the founder partner of the M & C Saatchi advertising firm which has been appointed agent general of South Australia, told the Times: "It might appear we are being rude, but a lot of things in Britain aren't good. We went for Staines because it sounds nasty. . . I don't suppose the mayor of Staines is going to be too happy, but it could easily have been Slough or Croydon." The adverts will appear in UK newspapers from tomorrow.

Through the campaign the Australian government is hoping to recruit people into the industries which are currently facing a skills crisis. Occupations which are most needed in Australia are listed on the Australia Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL). Among the professions found on the list are accountants, civil engineers and pathologists.

Australia needs skilled workers: Anyone applying for an Australian visa should begin by completing the Australian Visa Bureau's online Australian visa application to see if they meet the Australian visa requirements.