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5,000 MORE PLACES
BUT POINTS UP

AUSTRALIA'S skilled migration programme will be increased by 6000 places in the 12 months from July, with most of the new migrants directed to regional areas.
Minister for Immigration, Senator Amanda Vanstone announced that an extra 5000 skilled migrants would be accepted through a programme that allows States to sponsor them and decide where they settle.
Another 1000 places would be provided for doctors and their families, arriving under a scheme announced last year to attract foreign medics.
However, in a bid to increase the skill factor of people applying to emigrate, skilled migrants applying for visas from July will face a tougher test.
The pass mark will be increased to needing 120 points up from 115. However, the pool mark will remain at 70 points.
In a bid to attract skilled migrants to Australia's regions (which cover much of the country) the 5000 who agree to stay for two years in "regional" areas can qualify under the existing cut-off.
"The mechanism in the visa, and in particular the states' sponsorship, means that states that want people can have them and target them to where they need the skills," Senator Vanstone said.
All of South Australia has been zoned "regional" as State Premier Mike Rann aims to increase its population from 1.53 million to 2 million by 2050.
Mr Rann wants to attract 2500 skilled migrants by 2008 and is seeking a 500 per cent increase in the State's business migrant intake, now 1.7 per cent of the national total.
The 5000 places will boost the total migrant intake to 133,000 in 2004-05, after the announcement that Australia's refugee programme would increase by 2000 places.
Council of Australia chief executive Katie Lahey welcomed the announcement but said the goal should be 150,000.