Firstly, I can make reference to an insightful blog by a representative of DIAC. Kruno Kukoc, First Assistant Secretary Migration and Visa Policy Division, Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The below blog summarises some of DIAC’s policy initiatives for 2012.
http://migrationblog.immi.gov.au/2013/01/24/a-year-in-review-2012/
It is a good summary of some of the changes and the intentions underlying the changes.
Secondly, I can add my own observations on the negative effects of changing so many major visa categories at the same time, from the 1 July 2012. These included a surge in visa applications prior to visa changes, with the potential of significant processing delays due to these numbers, and ongoing technical difficulties for the new SkillSelect electronic visa system.