Rudd flags immigration slowdown
BY ADAM BLACK & CAROLINE LAI
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that Australia’s immigration levels could be cut in order to deal with the current economic crisis.
Speaking on 3AW radio recently, Mr Rudd said: ‘As with all previous Governments… whenever we set immigration targets, we will adjust them according to economic circumstances of the day.’
In response to these statements, Shadow Minister for Immigration, Dr. Sharman Stone said: ‘It will be important that Mr Rudd’s analysis is not a panicked or knee-jerk reaction… and that he fully understands that unemployment and pressures on infrastructure and natural resources vary across the country.
‘All governments should remain flexible, especially if economic circumstances deteriorate and unemployment rises as is now the case under the Rudd Labor Government.’
A reduction would be a dramatic shift away from current immigration trends, which have seen the level of overseas settlers rising steadily each year. The 2008-9 Migration Program forecasted an increase of nearly 20 per cent from the 2007-8 Program.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of settlers arriving in Australia between July 2007 and June 2008 totalled 149,400 from more than 200 countries.
If any migration cuts are approved, it’s possible that the $1.4 billion investment in the 2008-9 Migration Program could be slashed, potentially sacrificing core Government services for already established migrants, such as health, education and employment.
This news contrasts Chris Evan’s statement from May this year, where the Federal Government forecasted a $2.9 billion revenue form the 2008-09 Migration Program.
James Jupp from ANU’s Centre for Immigration and Cultural Studies said: ‘Government’s have always cut immigration when there’s a threat, but it’s not at all clear what will happen.’
Mr Jupp confirmed that two thirds of last ‘ migrants were either skilled or qualified whilst the rest entered the country as refugees or a dependants.
The Government’s previous increases in immigration of skilled migrants were made to address Australia’s skill shortage, which was partly caused by the large number of Australians heading overseas for work, according to Immigration Minister Chris Evans.
Raj Natarajan, President of the United Indian Association, believes that Australia’s current skill shortages is a result of the previous Government’s lack of investment in education. ‘I myself as an employer… I’m having problems finding people due to the gaps in the workforce,’ Mr Natarajan said.
Shadow Minister Dr Stone said: ‘The Rudd Government should also think very carefully before it reduces the record number of refugees it has targeted in this year’s intake.
‘Australia remains one of the countries in a good position to offer some refugees a safe, new home with opportunities to build a new life.’
The Prime Minister’s office declined to comment.
