THIS week I attended the Thomson Reuters Skilled Migration Conference in Sydney.
It was a good opportunity to be able to discuss a key issue for the Swan Hill and Robinvale districts, as well as hear from a number of migration lawyers and peak bodies.
It is no secret that skilled migration continues to be an integral part of Australia’s workforce.
Businesses and organisations are struggling to fill job positions, so finding workers from overseas is crucial.
However, there needs to be sound government policy to ensure an effective streamlined process.
Productivity Commission deputy chair Alex Robson, who spoke at the conference, recommends dropping the skills list and implementing wage thresholds for employer-sponsored visas.
The Grattan Institute has suggested a threshold of $70,000 for employer-sponsored temporary migration and $85,000 for permanent.
While I support skilled migration, if Australia goes down this path it risks Australia’s capacity to rebuild our workforce.
Would an Australian be paid the same amount for those jobs?
What Australia needs is a streamlined immigration program, that benefits our country as well as migrants coming here.
Currently a number of doctors are leaving Ireland and the UK, with an intent to head to another western democracy.
Canada, New Zealand and Australia are the options considered.
To migrate to Australia can take up to two years with many hurdles and high costs associated, but they can migrate and work in New Zealand and Canada in just three months.
What are we doing wrong? If those countries can expedite migration of doctors, so can we.
For years doctors have chosen to head first to New Zealand and then transition to Australia – coming in “the back door”.
Modern Australia is a nation built on migration, and we would not be the same without the contribution of migrants to our country.
They have made an important contribution across a range of sectors.
And they will continue to do so.
