Survey indicates strong support for reduction in migrant intake

[Cerberus1]

According to a recent Australian Population Research Institute survey, three quarters of Australians believe the country doesn't need any more people while 54% want a reduction in the annual migrant intake.

The organisation's researchers, Katharine Betts and Bob Birrell, say the result shows a disconnect between the political elites' commitment to high immigration policies and the concerns of voters.

In their analysis, they said the results are driven by the impact of population growth on people's quality of life.

Australia's population increased by 389,000 people to 24.5 million in the year to March, largely due to the arrival of new immigrants.

Most people who migrate to Australia are skilled workers (68%) and about a third make the move to be with family.

But 74% of those surveyed believe Australia is "already full", with most pointing to roads congestion, hospitals capacity, affordable housing and fewer jobs as evidence.

Mr Birrell said "population pressures" significantly contributed to this result. 

"For most Australian voters, the problems associated with Australia’s very high population growth, which is higher than other developed countries are now starting to bite," he said. 

"We’re seeing that in our survey that most respondents thought that population pressures were adding  to difficulties of urban congestion, housing affordability, job competing and the like. It's hardly surprising that 74% of them would respond by saying Australia doesn’t need more people."

Immigration minister Peter Dutton reacted cautiously to the survey results on Thursday, stating that the government was "always looking at the migration numbers" to get the balance right. 

"In the Labor years the number peaked at about 305,900 in one year which was an enormous number, we've got that number down now below 190,000 and as I say, we’re happy to reassess."

He said new migrants were drawn to the big population centres where pressure on housing and infrastructure was most often felt, however, "In some regional towns they’re crying out for people because they can’t get workers in the meatworks or areas of primary production, tourism, restaurants and so on. So we need to get that balance right."

The institute commissioned the survey from July 31 to August 17 this year, where a random national sample of 2067 voters, drawn from an online panel of 300,000 people, were asked questions about Australia's immigration and population policies.

[Guest263228]

Even when Carr, former Foreign Minister, was Premier of NSW way back in nineties, he proclaimed Sydney full then. How much worse have things got since those times?

The problem being besides excessive numbers, most those migrants land in one of two cities. Melbourne or Sydney. The planning and laissez faire attitude towards our immigration over the past decade begs belief.

Luckily little in the way of extreme right wing parties have managed to rise above a lunatic fringe element. Hanson besides her over the top anti Islamic rants is oddly quiet these days on the broader aspects of migration, unlike her racist 96 stance.

Australia maintains a population increase above all other developed countries and even some developing world countries. I believe USA just pips it to the front.

Is there anyone out there that can say Australia's standard of living has not declined over the recent decade.?....(actually being going down longer, but another story)

[Cerberus1]

Should more focus be on Regional Skilled Visas rather than general skilled migration, although I guess it's difficult if not impossible to ensure that migrants remain in regional areas.

[Cerberus1]

The World Economic Forum recently released a report about Migration and Cities (and the impact migration has).

 

Migration Report.pdf

[Guest263228]

Regional migration has worked to a limited extent. Refugee intakes, have on own backs on occasions moved to rural settings in preference to the city. Organised settlement of Syrians in Wagga, Lao Hmong in Northern Tasmania, Burmese Karen in My Gambier (SA) Katanning (WA largely of own back)

The problem is few so called 'skilled migrants' (are their skills needed?) would have issues in regional locations, where little if any support facilities are in place as well as the likelihood of little 'home community' support. Hence the largest city's will always prove more attractive, at least during initial years.

IMO, it all adds to the lack of need for migration flows presently being experienced. Those with vested interests in maintaining a high inflow, namely financial institutions the Ponzi, housing industry, big business , the education establishment, not forgetting migration industry, will need to accept their time in the sun is diminishing.

[Guest263228]

Immigration has been the making of Australia. This country has changed out of all recognition from two generations ago. Visible migration was hardly part of the make up and intolerance was very much in evidence.

While the red neck Ocker types have aged with the passing of time and younger generations are definitely more tolerant, it is best not to take this acceptance for granted. There are enough around to create great divides within society, if it becomes more acceptable to again voice intolerance and resurrect crudities of old, if this minority feel under threat and are manipulated by forces wanting to create trouble.