View from The Hill: Let’s make the argument for, not against, migration: Malinauskas
As the Albanese government continues to agonise over how to rejig it’s immigration policy, Peter Malinauskas gives a rare defence of migration
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas made a compelling case for preserving Australia's strong migration program in a speech to the Sydney Institute. He argued against the idea that cutting immigration would solve economic problems and instead claimed that it would make them worse. Malinauskas pointed to the numerous benefits of migration, including its role in addressing an ageing population and contributing to federal and state budgets.
He highlighted that skilled migrants arrive job-ready and have a net positive impact on public budgets. For example, the average skilled migrant delivers a lifetime benefit of $198,000, compared to a $85,000 net cost for a native-born resident. Furthermore, Malinauskas emphasized that migration is crucial for lifting productivity and funding government services.
He warned that cutting international students would have a devastating impact on Australian research funding. Malinauskas criticized both the far-left and far-right for exploiting anti-immigration sentiment, and argued that fair-minded Australians deserve better arguments than these polarized extremes. He called for a more mature approach that focuses on the nation's actual needs rather than arbitrary targets set by politicians.
Malinauskas advocated for a targeted, calibrated, and balanced migration system that has benefited Australia for eight decades.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
