Australian leaders feel the need for sustained skilled immigration in Australia

Australia, 20th July: Australia strongly needs to maintain a sustained rate of immigration in order to benefit the economy of the nation.

This was stated by new Australian PM (Prime Minister) Julia Gillard. She said that although she is definitely not in favor of ‘big Australia’ favored by Kevin Rudd, the ex-PM of Australia, which she feels as a sure sign of disaster for the nation, but, she is not entirely against immigration. Gillard wants to have a steady and sustained rate of immigration in Australia to ensure economic success of the country.

Rudd was in favor of ‘Big Australia’ and called for changes in Australian immigration rules which had led to a total Australian population of 35.9 million by 2050.

However, breaking down the figures of ‘Big Australia’ introduced by Mr. Rudd, the total annual growth rate of immigration comes just to 1.2 percent and this growth rate of immigration is even below the actual annual growth rate of immigration in Australia over the last 40 years.

Immigration is seen by a few Australians as a threat to the jobs of Australian citizens, however, the fact reiterated by several studies is that immigration does not, in any way, affect the employment scene in Australia. On the contrary, immigration in Australia helps in increasing the demand within the nation which, in return, results in proper management of the available resources within the nation.

Also, immigration plays a vital role in creating the demand for several commodities and housing which are beneficial for the nation’s economy. Moreover, permanent as well as temporary immigrants in Australia help in filling the gap between the required workforce and the available workers in Australia especially in mining sector.

Several major businesses in Australia are reportedly cautioning of imminent signs of looming skills shortage in Australia in the coming times if the nation fails to have a plan for immigration that seems simple and flexible for the prospective immigrants wanting to live and work in Australia.

Heather Rideout, Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, stated that shortage of skilled workers in the country would affect economic development of Australia and will likely have serious results for the development of businesses in the country.