The Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock says Australia's migration program is designed to stimulate economic activity. Already, he says, there's been significant benefits to the community as well as the Government's coffers. To ensure that happens, the Government has expanded the migration program by an extra 6,000 places. Mr Ruddock says the increase is necessary to offset skill shortages brought about by a falling population. Mr Ruddock says with significant numbers of young Australians leaving the country to work overseas, and many New Zealanders returning home due to changes to Government regulations, skilled workers are desperately needed.
Skilled places are as scarce as the proverbial hen's teeth.
We are in competition with Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland. These are countries that sent migrants generations ago to Australia. They want the same people that we are seeking. The Federal Government's humanitarian program remains set at 12,000 places, but most of those have and will be taken up by unlawful arrivals. In the past six weeks alone there have been 1,300 illegal arrivals and more are on the way.