Nov 17, 2020 08:49 PM
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-18/a...s/12876550
KEY POINTS: Australia's population growth has flattened and it will take years for migrants to come back in large numbers. Temporary migrants are locked out right now due to Australia's quarantine bottleneck. The migration program has been tweaked to give more "bang for buck", but that might not be a good thing.
INTRO: Australia's border controls may be trying to keep the virus out, but they are also hampering efforts to revive its stalled immigration program. Further hampering Australia's efforts are an expanded migrant intake in Canada and the UK's decision to make it easier for migrants to settle. The Minister responsible, Alan Tudge, earlier this month conceded that the coronavirus-induced fall in immigration would have "very significant economic consequences".
But it's the long term conundrum of how to reconnect to the world that could be Australia's biggest challenge. [...] Quarantine requirements have created a bottleneck at our borders. The Government expects to bring 27,000 Australians home by the end of the year, at around 7,000 per week. But there's not much room for overseas students — one of the country's biggest sectors — and temporary workers like Rohit. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday students would have to wait.
[...] In economic terms, Australia needs migrants to maintain local demand and help fill skills gaps. But migration has long influenced the country's social makeup and philosophical outlook. Gabriela D'Souza, senior economist at Committee for Economic Development of Australia, said the pandemic had given Australia a chance to take stock about how it was connected to the world. "I think it's also led to a bit of competition between countries for attracting that high level of talent," she said.
Other countries have already made their move. Canada increased its migrant intake from 350,000 to 400,000 in an announcement last month, while the UK — fresh from Brexit — has reduced the minimum salary for migrants by almost 30 per cent.
Canadian Minister of Immigration, Marco Mendicino, declared immigration was "essential" to getting through the pandemic, to short-term economic recovery and to long-term growth. "Canadians have seen how newcomers are playing an outsized role in our hospitals and care homes, and helping us to keep food on the table," Mr Mendicino said.
Both countries allow 14-day home isolation on arrival and both remain open to temporary visitors. Ms D'Souza said the UK was looking at a point-based system, in which migrants could apply for visas without job offers, to help calibrate their response. "It's a huge step for them and it states very clearly to the world their intention is to keep open to the world, whereas Australia's intention post pandemic even now has been a bit more muted," she said... (MORE)
KEY POINTS: Australia's population growth has flattened and it will take years for migrants to come back in large numbers. Temporary migrants are locked out right now due to Australia's quarantine bottleneck. The migration program has been tweaked to give more "bang for buck", but that might not be a good thing.
INTRO: Australia's border controls may be trying to keep the virus out, but they are also hampering efforts to revive its stalled immigration program. Further hampering Australia's efforts are an expanded migrant intake in Canada and the UK's decision to make it easier for migrants to settle. The Minister responsible, Alan Tudge, earlier this month conceded that the coronavirus-induced fall in immigration would have "very significant economic consequences".
But it's the long term conundrum of how to reconnect to the world that could be Australia's biggest challenge. [...] Quarantine requirements have created a bottleneck at our borders. The Government expects to bring 27,000 Australians home by the end of the year, at around 7,000 per week. But there's not much room for overseas students — one of the country's biggest sectors — and temporary workers like Rohit. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday students would have to wait.
[...] In economic terms, Australia needs migrants to maintain local demand and help fill skills gaps. But migration has long influenced the country's social makeup and philosophical outlook. Gabriela D'Souza, senior economist at Committee for Economic Development of Australia, said the pandemic had given Australia a chance to take stock about how it was connected to the world. "I think it's also led to a bit of competition between countries for attracting that high level of talent," she said.
Other countries have already made their move. Canada increased its migrant intake from 350,000 to 400,000 in an announcement last month, while the UK — fresh from Brexit — has reduced the minimum salary for migrants by almost 30 per cent.
Canadian Minister of Immigration, Marco Mendicino, declared immigration was "essential" to getting through the pandemic, to short-term economic recovery and to long-term growth. "Canadians have seen how newcomers are playing an outsized role in our hospitals and care homes, and helping us to keep food on the table," Mr Mendicino said.
Both countries allow 14-day home isolation on arrival and both remain open to temporary visitors. Ms D'Souza said the UK was looking at a point-based system, in which migrants could apply for visas without job offers, to help calibrate their response. "It's a huge step for them and it states very clearly to the world their intention is to keep open to the world, whereas Australia's intention post pandemic even now has been a bit more muted," she said... (MORE)