Social cohesion and overcrowding forgotten in 50-year migration plan
by TheRealists ~ September 4th, 2009
The SMH reports today that the government is preparing a 50-year migration plan that could contribute to Australia’s long term economic, demographic and environmental goals.
A 50-year plan that involves good planning and rational decisions may sound commendable when it comes to immigration, however if the plan fails to take important matters into consideration then you might as well ask Mickey Mouse to write the plan.
If I were preparing a 50-year plan for immigration I would begin by asking myself what kind of country would I want Australia to be in 50-years time, and how that would be affected by immigration.
I, like most Australians, would say that we want a socially cohesive society where people are tolerant of each other – where people feel part of the community – where we don’t suffer from the problems of overcrowding that affect so many other countries, and where we’re able to preserve our unique and delicate environment.
Unfortunately the government in their wisdom ignores most of the points above, and has put economics and big business at the forefront of their 50 year plan. “We want to ensure our skilled migration programs are responding to longer-term skill needs” sums up the governments approach to immigration. It’s about the economy, and meeting the demands of big business. It echoes what the minister said in a speech in May last year when he only mentioned skills when referring to a longer term perspective on immigration.
The elephant in the room with regards to the 50-year plan is social cohesion and overcrowding. When will we hear the minister say that he wants an immigration program that contributes to or at least doesn’t worsen social cohesion? When will the minister say that he wants an immigration program that doesn’t contribute so much to the overcrowding that’s occurring in our major cities?
When will the minister stop listening to industry associations that are apparently banging on his door about labour programs – and instead start planning in the best interest of ordinary Australians that actually live here?
September 10th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
It is indeed time to move beyond looking solely at the economic aspects of immigration and begin to consider what immigration means for Australian society, for Australian national identity and culture, for the Australian natural and built environment, and for the Australian people and their quality of life.
After all, Australia is more than just an economy and its people are more than simply a labour force.
September 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
It is indeed time to move beyond looking solely at the economic aspects of immigration and to begin to consider what immigration means for Australian society, for Australian national identity and culture, for the Australian natural and built environment, and for the Australian people and their quality of life.
After all, Australia is more than just an economy and its people are more than simply a labour force.