Australian Immigration

Vocabulary

Transcript

The photo shoot for a Chinese luxury living magazine is taking place above a Sydney beach. In China, expensive clothes and Australia are seen as a natural fit.

For some of China’s very rich tough, Australia itself has effectively just gone on sale. Australia has become the latest country to compete for China’s wealthiest people with a new category of visa allowing residency through financial investment.

English language requirements, skills and lengthy minimum period spent in Australia are waived for those investing 5 million dollars into Australian government bonds, companies and asset funds.

Shan Yong is the boss of a Chinese property development company which have revenues of half a billion dollars a year.

“It’s a very convenient and easy visa because I don’t have to stay here for long periods.
I still have businesses in China which I can’t stay away from for long periods. So that’s why this visa category is good for businessmen like me.”

Yu Hui Hwan’s husband runs a property and road building empire in China. She already has a daughter in a Melbourne University, but is keen on the new visa to give the whole family residency.

“I particularly like the climate here. In China the winters are very, very cold. It’s hard to feel comfortable and I get ill. That doesn’t happen here.”

For Australian asset managers, Australian’s new immigration policy means new clients.

“It appeals to high net worth migrants who are looking for optianlity, if you will. In other words, if the political or social climate in their country of origin becomes unsettled, it gives them an option to migrate to an alternative destination.”

Australia has long had high levels of Chinese immigration. Twenty-five thousand arrived last year, and February’s New Year celebrations in Sydney were the biggest ever.

What’s changed is the *type* of immigration from China. It’s no longer just people wanting to work, earn, and build lives in areas like these. Increasingly people are coming to Australia to invest and spend fortunes made back home.

Questions

1. What is the purpose of the photo shoot with the models?

2. “Australia has become the latest country to compete for China’s wealthiest people.” What does this mean?

3. Is there a proposal or offer? If yes, what is it?

4. Does Shan Yong want to stay only in Australia? Why or why not?

5. What does You Hui Huang like about Australia?

6. What option would these business people have?

7. How has Chinese immigration changed over the years?
 
 
A. There are many immigrants in my city. True or false? Who are they? Where do they come from?

B. What is the background? Are they refugees; poor, unskilled, and uneducated; skilled, educated professionals, business people; or wealthy?

C. Is your country trying to attract more immigrants? If yes, why or why not?

D. If you had lots of money, would you emigrate somewhere?

E. What may happen in the future?

F. Should people and governments do anything?