Immigration: Complex Issues

Fundamentalists range across the spectrum of public discussion - from religion to politics. Simplicity accounts for the popularity of their views. But the immigration debate, like life, is full of compexities. It is easy to say that migrants bring jobs, or that immigration raises unemployment levels. The truth will not fit within such simple slogans.

Immigration is about people, and is a complex matter affecting our history, culture, religious beliefs and political views. It is about more than the 'ethnic' restaurants. One Australian in four is a migrant or the child of a migrant. Only Israel has accepted a higher level of immigration in recent history. Yet still critics still try to reinforce the myth that the Australian identity or culture is under threat.

Last century the Irish were targeted by those who believed they threatened national identity. This century each new group of migrants has endured similar criticism, often by the the first generation of the previous migrants! The most recent targets are people from Asia and those of Islamic faith.

Migrants come to Australia under several programs: family, economic and humanitarian. Spouses and dependent children are the most common arrivals under the family category. Economic migrants may be individuals sponsored by Australian employers, business people setting up in Australia, or those with profesional training or skills seeking a better place to live. The humanitarian category includes refugees from former Yugoslavia and people from countries such as Sudan, Cambodia, Vietnam and East Timor. All three groups are important to a balanced program.

Migrants are eligible to become citizens after two years' residence, and many do. Some countries allow second or multiple citizenship: others do not. In some countries only citizens may own property. So a decision about naturalisation is not simply a question of 'national loyalty'.

People are more on the move now than at any time in history. Only Canada, the USA and Australia maintain regular immigration programs. Most Western countries have put up barriers. Visas are the first line of defence. Anyone who is not a citizen needs a visa to come to Australia, either as a tourist or a migrant. New Zealanders have a right of access to live and work; others are interviewed and may not be allowed to come.

"... lucky to live in a tolerant and rich country shaped by immigrants"

About 90,000 people will arrive in Australia this year as new residents. Meanwhile nearly 30,000 citizens or residents will leave to live and work elsewhere. Over 2 million tourists will visit Australia this year. This number will increase as we approach the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Economic critics of immigration say that with so many already unemployed, Australia cannot accept more people. This view ignores many studies showing that immigration has a positive, or at worst neutral, impact on the economy. Key questions are: How can you measure the economic impact of one person in a community of 17 million? And when is a migrant no longer a migrant?

Environmental critics argue that the net 50,000 new residents annually is too many. But the issue is not how many people live here so much as how they live here. Australians are more conscious of water and land use now than a century ago.

Refusing to allow more people into Australia is a refusal to face the reality of a world on the move. To those beyond our shores, the continent does not look overcrowded. Careful planning of migration levels is preferable to sudden reponses to economic shifts.

Population movements will probably increase worldwide over the next decade. Australians must be ready to work with this movement, not put our heads in the sand. We are lucky to live in a tolerant and rich country shaped by immigrants. Is it surprising that others want to enjoy our good fortune?

To the Cardoner Index and recent material.