Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has 'win' in visa case row. Jonathan Granger said the trade ...

IMMIGRATION Minister Scott Morrison has successfully sought a suppression order in a case involving bogus work references for a former international student seeking to stay as a skilled migrant.

The granting of the order suggests immigration authorities are investigating others relying on similar fraud to secure permanent residency.

This month, Perth-based Federal Circuit Court judge Toni Lucev rejected an appeal by former student Harwinder Singh Thind.

He also suppressed publication of aspects of his case, including letters to and from the Immigration Department, and sections of a tribunal decision.

In June last year, he said, the Immigration Department had refused Mr Thind a skilled migrant visa as a pastry cook because investigations showed his work reference came from someone, known only as "CA" who had admitted faking references. Although this did not directly implicate Mr Thind, he could not provide any solid documentary evidence of having worked at the company; 900 hours of work experience was a necessary step towards the visa.

Judge Lucev granted a suppression order so as not to prejudice further investigations or prosecutions built on evidence from CA, who is co-operating with authorities.

He said it was important for the administration of justice not to give away the identity of CA or the "nature of any assistance" that CA was giving.

Sydney migration agent Jonathan Granger said the trade in bogus documents was well known, but until recent high-profile raids it had been difficult to get evidence. "Beforehand, it was looking for a needle in a haystack," he said. "It's been a long time overdue."

In 2011, authorities brought in new measures against fraud in skilled migration visas, making it easier for them to act retrospectively against former international students and others found to have used bogus documents.

www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/immigration-minister-scott-morrison-has-win-in-visa-case-row/story-e6frgcjx-1226749189207