The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne, Mr. Bill Papastergiadis, and the General Secretary, Mr. Costas Markos, had a meeting with the Acting Minister of Immigration, Mr. Alan Tudge, on Monday, to discuss issues faced by Greek citizens who are in the country with temporary visas as a result of the coronavirus.

The meeting was also attended by Fr. Christoforos as a representative of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

Key points of the meeting were:

• All people on a temporary basis will be allowed to access their superannuation.
• People on bridging visas will have opportunities to work in the agricultural sector as it desperately needs workers.
• With skilled workers – if they are “stood down” (i.e. not terminated) then their visa will still be valid. Also they can access their superannuation.
• The government will focus on increasing its translations to get the message out

Bill Papastergiadis and Costas Markos proposed in the meeting that the public is confused with the changes and that the Government should fund a hotline in our community which would provide effective and efficient advice on all the Government policies. 

Fr Christophoros agreed with the proposal.

Minister Tudge liked this idea and said he would consider it further.

Also it was agreed that this would be the first of a number of meetings.

Mr. Tudge said that he was still considering the Government’s position on student visas and that he will have more to announce in the near future.