Gillard says no to Rudd’s ‘Big Australia’ policy
Australia's continuous economic growth fuelled by demand for her minerals and energy resources over the past 16 years has created skill shortages that are often filled by immigrants
Australia’s new Prime Minister Julia Gillard has said she disagrees with predecessor Kevin Rudd’s ‘Big Australia’ policy and intends to slow down immigration.
As Gillard moves to put a brake on the population surge, opposition leader Tony Abbott has accused her of a policy back flip.
Gillard, who staged a swift and surprising leadership takeover from Kevin Rudd last Thursday, has said that the population policy needs to strike the right balance between growth and sustainability.
Just before he stepped down as Australia’s Prime Minister, Rudd had endorsed a ‘Big Australia’ policy, calling for the population to grow from 22 million by 2050.
“I don’t believe in a ‘big Australia’,” she said. “I’m indicating a different approach,” she told the Nine Network’s Sunday Today programme.
“I think if you talk to the people of western Sydney or Melbourne, or the Gold Coast growth corridor in Queensland, people would look at you and say, ‘Where will all these people go?’”
In 2009, the Australia’s population grew 2 per cent – faster than any developed country – with new immigrants making up the surge in numbers.
Gillard said the government should be focusing on their capacities to provide roads and services needed to support a larger population.
The Prime Minister’s new cabinet will also probably include a Minister for Sustainable Population to examine growth capacity.
Australia’s continuous economic growth fuelled by demand for her minerals and energy resources over the past 16 years has created skill shortages that are often filled by immigrants.
However, immigration remains a sensitive issue in a country where run-downed fishing vessels filled with asylum seekers mainly from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are continually spotted on the Australian shoreline.
“This place is our sanctuary, our home, but immigration for skilled labour is still needed,” Ms Gillard said, adding that Canberra would continue to accept refugees. “I don’t want business to be held back because they couldn’t find the right workers.
“But I also don’t want areas of Australia with 25 per cent youth unemployment because there are no jobs.”
Under Mr Rudd, Australia suspended claims for asylum from Sri Lankans for three months and Afghans for six.
According to the Mercer 2010 Quality of Living survey, Sydney makes the ranks as the highest city for Australia at 10th place, followed by Melbourne a(18th), Perth (21st) and Canberra at 26th position. Singapore, at 28th place, tops as the most liveable city in Asia.
Mr James Nuben of Rikvin Corporate Services in Singapore said, “With more countries putting a cap on immigration, more foreign workers and investors will look to Asia for economic growth and development.”
Britain has followed in the footsteps of Australia as the UK government announces a cap on the number of foreign workers entering the country.
“Singapore stands as a clear choice as the next destination for potential market growth as she welcomes immigrants and foreign workers while other countries shut them out. She is set to see more companies incorporated and more foreign talent flocking to the leading financial hub of Asia,”said Mr Nuben.
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