‘Australia has a problem with population. It’s a problem with the potential to result in enormous chaos, risking the nation’s economic well-being. And this problem is moving like an overcrowded Sydney train, careering out of control towards inevitable carnage.
‘Much of this population problem is of our own making: past demographic successes and policy and funding complacency have created a ticking time bomb. Politicians have struggled to manage the population problem, but no longer have the luxury of looking away.
‘With the dial on public sentiment set to outrage, fuelling a population problem far removed from reality, it’s time for a reasoned consideration of the population policy needs of Australia.
‘An effective population policy would focus on quality of life, from the cradle to the grave. Numerous policy domains feature: education and training, health care, housing, employment, the environment, and many more.’
- Solving the ‘population problem’ through policy »
- Scott Morrison flags cutting migration in response to population concerns »
- ‘Enough, enough, enough’: Scott Morrison says he will cut Australia’s migration intake »
- Government’s population plan is more about maximising ‘win-wins’ than cutting numbers »
- Global population of eight billion and growing: we can’t go on like this »
- Anthony Albanese calls for ‘mature debate’ on population growth »
- Migration policy enters uncharted waters »
- Is slowing Australia’s population growth really the best way out of this crisis? »
- 1.4 million less than projected: how coronavirus could hit Australia’s population in the next 20 years »
- Bob Brown is right – it’s time environmentalists talked about the population problem »
- The end of the population pyramid »
- ‘It’s almost like you have to leave’: young people from regional areas face a big stigma if they don’t move to the city »
- The immigration numbers bidding war is pointless – there are limits to how many migrants Australia can accept »
- What’s behind the recent surge in Australia’s net migration – and will it last?
- Think curbing overseas migration will end the housing crisis? It won’t – and we can’t afford to do it
Settling migrants in regional areas will need more than a visa to succeed
John van Kooy and Rebecca Wickes write in The Conversation (1.4.19) that encouraging migrants to move to regional areas could be a ‘win-win’ scenario, as long as policymakers pay attention to five key factors.
‘Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced two new regional visas as part of a national population plan. The Skilled Employer Sponsored and Skilled Work regional visas require workers to live outside major cities for three years before they can apply for permanent residency. Morrison said the new visas would benefit communities “looking for more people to come and settle in their districts, to fill jobs, inject more life into their towns, and shore up the important education and health services for the future”.
‘However, newly released statistics on regional population growth in Australia in 2017-18 show current growth is heavily concentrated in the capitals. People clearly prefer to settle in these cities. So how can migration to the less favoured regional centres be made to work?
‘Research by the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre and Welcoming Cities has examined the benefits and risks of regional migrant settlement. We identify five key factors — four essential and one desirable — that will make regional settlement successful.’
- Settling migrants in regional areas will need more than a visa to succeed »
- Population growth on agenda at Treasurers’ meeting, as Federal Government tries to entice migrants to regional areas »
- Migrants want to live in the big cities, just like the rest of us »
- National population plan for regional Australia »
- Steps to settlement success: a toolkit for regional and rural communities »
- Regional population growth – are we ready? »
- The regions can take more migrants and refugees, with a little help »
- Planning for welcoming and inclusive communities: guidelines for regional growth »
- Yes, it is time to rethink our immigration intake – to put more focus on families »
- The government is right – immigration helps us rather than harms us »
- The big movers: understanding population mobility in regional Australia »
- Population growth and mobility in Australia: implications for housing and urban development policies »
- ‘We haven’t built it, and they’ve come’: the e-change pressures on Australia’s lifestyle towns »
- Government must use trauma-informed approach to end uncertainty on refugee visa applications
- It’s not just about more homes: unpacking the housing challenges migrants face in Australia