May 16, 2011
The debate in Australia has for too long been distracted by the issue of asylum-seekers, who account for only a tiny proportion of Australian immigrants in any year.
The real issue is the total level of immigration and whether it is too high or too low. As van Onselen effectively argues, the continuing success of the Australian economy requires relatively high levels of immigration because of our ageing population, skill shortages in key sectors, infrastructure requirements and need for greater competition in the concentrated domestic economy.
Politicians on both sides should put aside their current focus on the short term, and instead, start to plan properly for a future Australia that is larger in numbers but more prosperous.
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