A curate’s egg? Australia’s immigration and population policies

Abstract

This paper provides the text of a Blake Dawson Waldron Public Lecture delivered in Canberra on May 2, 2006. In the paper a stock-take is provided of Australia’s current policies on immigration and population, and suggestions are offered as to how these should change in future. It is argued that Australian immigration has developed to become a major national policy achievement, welltailored for the national interest and Australian values. Its principles and mechanisms, especially its points system, are now being emulated in other countries such as the UK. Incorporation of expanded and skilled immigration within wider population policies has been a further step forward in Australia in recent times. But the paper also argues that there are still significant flaws that are not being dealt with adequately, and pressures are present which could change policy to the nation’s detriment. These problems range from the inhumane treatment of refugees through to the excessive growth of temporary entry for skilled guest workers. The paper opposes any major low skill guest-worker program and strongly advocates growing regional and global engagement with management of international people movements.