After the pandemic, there was a labor shortage in Australia. Then the migration numbers suddenly rose sharply. What happened?
Australia’s Home Secretary Clare O’Neill will unveil her government’s new immigration policy on Monday.
In September this year, more than half a million people arrived in Australia. This can largely be explained by the return of international students after the pandemic, who often leave the country after their studies. But many voices — including the opposition — now link the figure to increased rents and higher living costs. A recent one for an Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald A poll found 62 percent of Australian voters believe too many immigrants are allowed into the country.
Migration has always played an important role in sustainable economic development in the fifth continent. 2022 is estimated Statistical Commission About 7.7 million residents come from overseas and were not born in Australia.
At the end of the pandemic, when the country’s borders were reopened, there was a shortage of workers across the country – especially in agriculture, construction, hospitality or tourism. In September 2022, the ruling Social Democrats, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, approved 35,000 additional visas. Under the government’s immigration program, nearly 200,000 people were able to enter the country the following year. Twice as many came.
Labor wants to score points with voters
Canberra now wants to “bring the numbers back under control” and cut annual immigration by around 50 per cent to 250,000 over the next two years. The Labor government on Monday set out a new migration strategy for the next ten years. Home Secretary Clare O’Neill said immigration must be brought to a “sustainable level” and ensure people with the skills Australia needs in the future are brought into the country.
“The system is broken,” O’Neill said — unnecessarily complicated, slow and inefficient. A “major reform” is needed now. There is political calculation behind this demand. The opposition has already won several electoral victories in the past due to its strict migration and refugee policies. The Labor government, on the other hand, has already been repeatedly criticized for its migration policy. A recent incident in November led to negative news. An Australian court has demanded the immediate release of stateless refugees. Many asylum seekers accused of serious crimes have been released from immigration detention.
Close the “back door” to Australia
In addition to improving the image of the electorate, the reform is primarily aimed at improving the integrity of the migration system. The government wants to close “back doors” to entry into Australia and increase requirements for international students. It was only in August that the University of Sydney, one of Australia’s most prestigious universities, made public several cases of fraud. Chinese students in particular are said to be entering university using fake high school diplomas and English language tests.
Some foreign students have been accused of registering for courses in a relatively random manner in order to enter the country. Action should be taken against this now. The reform would introduce a new visa for highly skilled workers, which would only have a one-week processing time. It is intended to support companies in recruiting professionals.
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