Dutch and Aussies Formalise Visa Arrangement

Released on = September 12, 2006, 4:42 am

Press Release Author = John Bell

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = Australia appeals to the citizens of the Netherlands
greatly. And just this year the spirit of a Dutchman-led Socceroos captured the
attention of the world during their most successful World Cup campaign.

Press Release Body = It was 400 years ago that Dutch sailors first sighted
Australian shores but left deterred by our rough exterior.

Today, however, rugged Australia appeals to the citizens of the Netherlands greatly.
And just this year the spirit of a Dutchman-led Socceroos captured the attention of
the world during their most successful World Cup campaign.

Arrangements between Australia and Netherlands that allow thousands of young
Australian and Dutch holiday makers to work in each others countries were formalised
at a ceremony today.

Australia's Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Amanda Vanstone,
announced that the Ambassador for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and her department
had signed a Memorandum of Understanding celebrating 25 years of working holiday
arrangements between Australia and the Netherlands .

"The arrangement with the Netherlands is a win-win for young people from both our
countries," Senator Vanstone said.

"The boost provided to the Australian economy by young Dutch travellers is welcomed
by both our tourism sector and employers."

Senator Vanstone said it was also appropriate that the MOU was signed during the 400
th anniversary of first contact between Australia and the Netherlands .

The Ambassador for the Kingdom of Netherlands, His Excellency Niek van Zutphen also
praised the arrangements.

"In this year of bilateral celebrations, it is very fitting that we try to encourage
even more young people to visit each others' countries," Ambassador van Zutphen
said.

"This will ensure that our strong bilateral relations will continue in the future,"

The Netherlands is the third largest source of European short-term visitors to
Australia. Each year about 60,000 Dutch tourists and 3,000 young Dutch working
holiday makers visit Australia.

The Working Holiday Programme allows young people (aged from 18 to 30 years) from
participating countries to travel and experience different lifestyles and cultures
and to work to subsidise their holiday.

- Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

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

Contact Details = Web site: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
E-mail: webmaster@nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3 - 118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9697 4922
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9815 1544

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