subject: The Political Debate On Immigration To Australia [print this page] As immigration to Australia continues to be one of the hottest topics of debate and as the elections for Prime Minister grows closer, it is getting difficult for the average citizen to follow who exactly is saying what. Heres a brief summary of the key players views on the days hot button topic.
Kevin Rudd was Australias Prime Minister until his recent resignation and his administration was sending out some very mixed signals about their views on immigration to Australia. On the one hand he came out in favor of a big Australia and said it would benefit the country and on the other he oversaw laws that shifted immigration requirements to be geared almost exclusively toward highly skilled immigrants filling in specific labor needs and thus greatly decreasing overall immigration.
Incumbent Prime Minister Julia Gillard has outwardly opposed the concept of a big Australia and has made it clear that she favors immigration to Australia only as the countrys resources can keep up with the population expansion. She also has stated that skilled migration should be directly linked to the demand of shortages experienced in specific works sectors in predetermined parts of the country.
Many large business enterprises have come out against this line of thinking and have countered that immigration to Australia and migrant workers are crucial aspects of the Australian economy who are vital to a variety of labor shortages throughout the country and not just specifically skilled occupations. They add that these shortages cannot be filled by native Australians without the undesired result of certain parts of the country remaining short on available employees as a mass flow of people will head to other parts of the country to fill the present day openings.
The result of all this is that people considering immigration to Australia are in a state of utter confusion. The latest update by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is that if you have employer sponsorship you are placed atop their priority list. Applicants with jobs on the Skilled Occupation List are the next highest priority and the remaining applicants, on a first come first serve basis, round out the list. Students and applicants without jobs on the Skilled Occupation List appear to be the ones who will suffer the most as the upheaval in immigration to Australias laws and policies continue to shake out. It looks like those who fall into such categories have a long wait ahead of them to obtain their visas.
Clearly, as Election Day roars forward, immigration to Australia will continue to be one of the hottest topics to debate and there are many immigrants very curious to see which will be the victorious party and how they will ultimately keep everyone happy.
