CHANDIGARH, Dec 6 : Australian Minister for Citizenship, International Education, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill, arrived at the Amritsar airport on Friday as part of an important outreach visit focused on the Punjabi community and aspiring international students.
Speaking to the media, Hill said he would offer prayers at Sri Harmandir Sahib during his first-ever visit to the shrine, describing it as a significant moment in his public life. He noted that the Sikh faith, Punjabi language and Punjabi community are among the fastest-growing segments in Australia.
Hill underlined that Punjabi residents are not only rising in numbers but also strengthening Australia’s economic, academic, social, and business sectors. Their contribution, he said, has become an integral part of the nation’s multicultural fabric.
Responding to questions on visa refusals, Hill clarified that genuine applicants who submit accurate information and authentic documents continue to receive fair consideration from Australian authorities. The government’s intent, he stressed, is to support sincere and hardworking students, not those attempting to misuse the system.
Hill also took a strong stance against illegal travel and immigration agents who lure young people with false promises. Such operators, he said, jeopardise students’ futures and undermine immigration systems in both countries. He urged families and students to rely only on authorised and transparent channels when planning to study abroad.(UNI)
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