What Does Australia Need: A Migration Strategy or Short-Term Politics?
A broad group of Australian industry, business, community, multicultural, regional and migration organisations is calling for a National Migration Summit to develop a long-term plan for Australia’s migration system.
The call follows a week of competing proposals on migration, including calls to reduce temporary migration and cut Australia’s humanitarian intake.
The groups say the debate should move beyond annual migration numbers and focus on what Australia needs over the long term.
They argue that migration policy affects workforce shortages, productivity, regional development, population ageing, social cohesion and Australia’s future economic growth.
The alliance is calling on the Federal Government to bring together governments, businesses, unions, community organisations, researchers, migration experts and multicultural leaders.
The proposed summit would aim to develop an evidence-based roadmap covering migration, housing, infrastructure, employment, settlement and community confidence.
The organisations said Australia needs a coordinated approach rather than short-term decisions driven by political cycles.
Supporters of the proposal include the Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Hotels Association, Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, Migration Institute of Australia, Minerals Council of Australia, Refugee Council of Australia, Regional Australia Institute, Settlement Council of Australia and Tech Council of Australia.
Settlement Council of Australia Chair Melissa Monteiro said concerns about housing, infrastructure, cost of living and pressure on services should be taken seriously, but require broader policy solutions rather than focusing only on migration numbers.
Council of Small Business Organisations Australia CEO Skye Cappuccio said businesses need migration settings that reflect the skills shortages faced by small businesses across the country.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said Australia’s future migration system should be designed around long-term national needs rather than short-term measures.
The organisations say a National Migration Summit could provide a forum for developing a shared approach that balances economic needs, workforce demand, housing capacity, infrastructure, settlement outcomes and social cohesion.
Stay tuned with Aus News Lanka – the leading platform for news for Australians.
Press Released : https://journalists.medianet.com.au/Release/1058363/6915256
Comments