Immigration - No Bakers Delight

I don't think it's the worlds biggest secret that the best bread in the world is baked by the French. Yes, I know other countries make great breads, and that I’m making sweeping generalisations here, but I think I’m pretty close to the mark. So what? Is this bread appreciation day? Well, sort of.

My favourite bread comes from a small bakery close by; fantastic sourdoughs that are impossibly crunchy outside, and deliciously soft inside, specialty regional breads with champagne, organic loaves and more. Fresh that day, there’s nothing like them. And thanks to the idiocy of our immigration department, soon there won’t be anything like them.

Frenchy, my baker mate, has been living here in Australia for over three years, and loves the place. He still can’t work out why we won’t buy bread everyday, and why we commit crimes such as freezing bread, but he’s happy that he can bring the tastes of his homeland and childhood to people. He’s sunk money into building his business, employs several staff, and supplies local cafes and restaurants. His youngest kid has never really known another country.

For almost all of the last three years, he’s been trying to secure permanent residency here in Australia, but has failed. With no tertiary qualifications (he learnt the trade from his family) his point score suffered, and the Department of Immigration has decided that we don’t need any more bakers. Of course not – there’s a Bakers Delight in every suburb, and Tip Top on the shelves at the supermarket – why would we want anything different? The fact that he has built a business, employs staff, has other local businesses relying on him, and has woven himself into the fabric of the local community seems to count for nothing.

I talked to him about trying to appeal the decision, but the thought of more paperwork and hassle and probably getting knocked back again, not to mention the time away from his business made him reluctant. Six weeks ago he decided to give up and apply to immigrate to Canada. Yesterday he got his confirmation – he’ll leave early next year. The thing that makes it eve more depressing is that there’s probably dozens more cases like this. We’re idiots.