Released on = December 12, 2006, 1:03 am

Press Release Author = John Bell

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = When pairing Guide Dogs with blind and vision impaired
clients, Steve Palmer-Boyd assesses the pooch's ability, temperament and
adaptability before making the perfect match.

Press Release Body = When pairing Guide Dogs with blind and vision impaired clients,
Steve Palmer-Boyd assesses the pooch's ability, temperament and adaptability before
making the perfect match.

Which is just what Guide Dogs Queensland did when it recruited Steve from the United
Kingdom to work as a guide dog mobility instructor.

Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone met Steve today
in Brisbane.'Steve's role with Guide Dogs Queensland highlights the broad use of our skilled migration programmes by employers,' the Minister said.

November 22 marks the third anniversary of Steve and his wife Shelley's arrival in
Australia - a journey made possible by the Australian Government's 457 temporary
skilled visa programme. The couple, who recently celebrated the arrival of a baby daughter, first came to Australia on a holiday visa.

'Suffice to say, we loved every minute and could not wait to try and get work here
and move on over,' Steve said.

Currently there are only about 60 Guide Dogs in training in Queensland, compared to
more than 1000 in the United Kingdom, which explains why Guide Dogs Queensland had
to recruit from overseas to fill skilled positions in its workforce.

The Minister said temporary skilled migrants played a crucial role in the Australian
economy.'Not only do overseas skilled workers such as Steve help business and industry meet their labour needs, they play a critical role in supporting and training young local
workers,' the Minister said.

'Filling skilled labour shortages is critical if business and industry is to sustain
its existing workforce and grow in the future to create even more job and training
opportunities for young Australians.'

Steve and his family have now been granted permanent residency through the employee
nomination scheme and they are proud to say their daughter Elsie May is an
Australian citizen. Steve is currently helping to train two labradors and a poodle to be Guide Dogs but says much of his time is spent working with the dogs' future companions.

'I have about 40 clients I work with north of the Brisbane River as far away as
Cairns,' he said.

- Senator Amanda Vanstone, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

Web Site = http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

Contact Details = National Visas
Web site: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3 - 118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9697 4922