From today's West Australian
Feb 18th 2005, 9:08 am
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From today's West Australian
Vanstone tips increase in migrants
KIM MACDONALD and SUELLEN JERRARD
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone has given a strong indication that Australia’s migration intake may increase, following efforts to address the chronic skills shortage.
Senator Vanstone confirmed she was considering an increase to skilled migrants, revealed in The West Australian earlier this week, but she would not consider a reduction in humanitarian or family migrants.
She said there had been fierce lobbying for extra skilled migrants during month-long consultations with business leaders across the country.
As a result, the Government would investigate how it could promote skilled migration such as sponsorship by showing the business community it was a simple process.
Senator Vanstone rejected claims from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union that increasing the pool of skilled migrants would result in cheap labour and undermine hard-won wages and conditions.
She said visa requirements ensured appropriate skill and language levels, which ensured migrants competed on a equal level.
“In Australia at this point it is very important to make sure the immigration program, both the volume and share, has community support,� Senator Vanstone said. “But we are an immigration country. That is how we became what we are. It is an intrinsic part of our future.�
She said she would also consider suggestions for the Government to advertise abroad for migrants.
However, if the Government were to agree to the suggestion, it would not target any particular country or skills base for fear of discriminating.
British workers will be targeted in the State Government’s first foray into migrant labour brought about by an unprecedented skills shortage.
Representatives from the State’s new $1.6 million Skilled Migration Unit will attend two migration expos in England in March and May and run a special roadshow in northern England and Scotland in October.
South African and New Zealand workers are also being targeted in the short term, given the similarity in language and qualifications.
Unions have welcomed the co-ordinated approach while stressing that it was important the focus remained on training West Australians.
It is estimated that 175,000 new tradespeople are needed to meet national demand in the next five years.
KIM MACDONALD and SUELLEN JERRARD
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone has given a strong indication that Australia’s migration intake may increase, following efforts to address the chronic skills shortage.
Senator Vanstone confirmed she was considering an increase to skilled migrants, revealed in The West Australian earlier this week, but she would not consider a reduction in humanitarian or family migrants.
She said there had been fierce lobbying for extra skilled migrants during month-long consultations with business leaders across the country.
As a result, the Government would investigate how it could promote skilled migration such as sponsorship by showing the business community it was a simple process.
Senator Vanstone rejected claims from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union that increasing the pool of skilled migrants would result in cheap labour and undermine hard-won wages and conditions.
She said visa requirements ensured appropriate skill and language levels, which ensured migrants competed on a equal level.
“In Australia at this point it is very important to make sure the immigration program, both the volume and share, has community support,� Senator Vanstone said. “But we are an immigration country. That is how we became what we are. It is an intrinsic part of our future.�
She said she would also consider suggestions for the Government to advertise abroad for migrants.
However, if the Government were to agree to the suggestion, it would not target any particular country or skills base for fear of discriminating.
British workers will be targeted in the State Government’s first foray into migrant labour brought about by an unprecedented skills shortage.
Representatives from the State’s new $1.6 million Skilled Migration Unit will attend two migration expos in England in March and May and run a special roadshow in northern England and Scotland in October.
South African and New Zealand workers are also being targeted in the short term, given the similarity in language and qualifications.
Unions have welcomed the co-ordinated approach while stressing that it was important the focus remained on training West Australians.
It is estimated that 175,000 new tradespeople are needed to meet national demand in the next five years.
