Australia has almost unrestricted immigration just like the UK. If an employer group says there is a shortage, the government gives them a rubber stamp to import people whether they are needed or not. My wife and I have been financially devastated by this, just like in the UK. My job was offshored to India, my wifes replaced with a bunch of dodgy visas types from India (apparently job offshored but in fact done by Indian contractors doing rotating shifts for a few months in Aus, Work that one out) As we were aged circa 50yo at the time we were very much not wanted in the IT industry from then on regardless of the many years experience and much of it current and up to date at the time, especially when they could import a 25 year old with far less experience for perhaps 10-20% less money.. Something for many around here to look forward to.
When I first got made redundant back in the UK, I spent a year chasing IT jobs, no luck, age barrier was at work and as one recruitment agent said to me 'it is more than my job is worth to put someone of your age forward anywhere in London these days' at the age of 49, There was so many incoming IT workers from every corner of the globe, just like Australia right now. My wifes last job was lost in Melbourne after we returned to Australia. Then tried chasing low level jobs, no luck, was not Polish and under the age of 30. In Oz, drove a bus for a couple of years till developed arthritis in both feet! surrounded by Indian drivers who came to Australia to do cooking and hairdressing courses(another scam).
This IS what immigration is about and at such levels does not enhance the lives of anyone but the rich or those coming from much poorer countries perhaps and often countries which really need to keep their skilled people.
The housing situation is also a rigged market just like the job market when it comes to immigration. Government sponsored unlimited demand from all directions, government sponsored restricted supply, poor supply at that when infrastructure is taken into account and it would seem that the cynical ploy being that once you have handed over your money to a builder/land developer the job is done, 'they' have made their money and no other issues need be taken into account. If anyone believes that Australian immigration is anything more than a ploy to put money into the pockets of the 1%ers surrounding Sydney Harbour they are mistaken and naive in the extreme.
ps I have nothing against immigrants as people and find the mix today far better than the absolute racist misogynist (still working on that one) mono-culture it used to be, however that is the only benefit of the last round of immigration.
