It is time for a reality check. Skilled migrants contribute to the economy over the long-term. Independent modelling by the Migration Council of Australia (MCA) earlier this year pointed out that higher skilled migration numbers would boost Australia’s economy by $1.6 trillion in a single year.
Another reality is that Australia’s relatively small talent base requires local businesses to compete with other countries for foreign talent. Skills are a valuable resource. Skills grow businesses and the economy. Don’t turn away talent with short-sighted policies.
Any suggestion that looks to a single initial contribution is thus missing the wood for the tree. It fails to consider the continuous contribution over years of skilled work. Skills build wealth.
Prime Minister Tony Abbot has had to quell the talk of this ‘paid-visa scheme’ with an announcement yesterday stating that the Coalition government is unlikely to adopt such a scheme.
“Everyone knows that the immigration policy of this government is fairly and squarely based on what is in the best interests and what is in accordance with the best values of our country,” Mr Abbott said. “That’s the way it is and that’s the way it will stay as far as I’m concerned.”
To support this and nudge the Productivity Commission in a sensible direction, the Migration Alliance is putting together a submission and would like to include the ideas of members.
Source: http://migrationalliance.com.au/immigration-daily-news/entry/2015-05-please-don-t-say-no-to-skilled-migration.html
