overseas would be willing to change party affiliation to the party that continues huge family reunion programs? Given both parties court this group with high family reunion intakes, have they indeed become hostage to this group? Has Australia lost controls of its borders already, in a practical electoral sense? nona event : 22 Dec 2010 6:19:38pm Would partly explain why Labor ramped up immigraiton intake numbers by about 50% after getting elected. Probably figured they would get a vote of confidence from latest group of migrants in the next election. Sound logic, by cynical way to get re-elected if true. silver fox : 22 Dec 2010 11:27:06pm This is a very important point Chalkie. I fear the foreign born have reached a critical mass, and the growing snowball is out of control as it rushes down the hill. Howard and Rudd go down in history as being responsible for this. Dave : chalkie : 22 Dec 2010 4:43:28pm The immigration debate is already over: both major parties are beholden to the short-term economic 'benefits' of immigration - wage-depressing workers help keep inflation figures down and immigrants spur both new house construction and keep house prices high, both of which make various indicators rosy. Too bad the medium term costs are disastrous: house price inflation leading to world's worst housing affordability, urban sprawl and failing infrastructure and ecological destruction. The Brutal Realist : 22 Dec 2010 4:32:59pm Good article Simon. However I do not think it is an accident that so