Migration debate must focus on economic outcomes, not culture wars

The Coalition’s newly announced migration policy is out of step with Australia’s economic needs and fails to address the urgent need for skills recognition reform and solutions to workforce shortages across the economy, says the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign.

The Opposition Leader Angus Taylor’s policy announcement, released today, proposes significant cuts to Australia’s migration program and dismantling key elements of Australia’s immigration system to introduce measures that discriminate against migrants based on their country of origin and religion.

Activate Australia’s Skills campaign director Dane Moores said the conversation we should be having is about how to make Australia’s migration system work for all Australians – strengthening the economy, growing productivity, addressing workforce shortages and reducing long wait times for services Australians rely on. 

“We need a migration debate that focuses on economic outcomes, not inflaming culture wars,” he said.

“Right now, hospitals are short staffed, major construction projects are delayed, we can’t build houses fast enough and regional communities can’t attract the workers they need. This is a major handbrake on our productivity, and migration is a key part of that solution.

“Australian employers aren’t asking where someone was born. They’re asking when they can start.”

With one in three occupations facing worker shortages, Mr Moores said it was disappointing to see proposed reforms fail to address Australia’s skills crisis.

“Whether you favour a larger or smaller migration program, making skills recognition processes faster, fairer and more affordable is a no-brainer to ensure we get the best economic outcomes from immigration.

“Two-thirds of underutilised migrants in Australia came through the skilled migration program, meaning we are selecting people for their valuable skills then systematically holding them back from fully contributing due to costly and confusing skills recognition processes. Fixing this should be the top priority for any new migration policy.”

“There are a quarter of a million qualified professionals already in Australia, ready and willing to work, but an outdated system is holding them back. These are doctors, nurses, engineers who want to contribute to our economy and our communities but are stuck in years-long administrative processes that are expensive, confusing and duplicative.

“Making skills recognition faster, fairer and more affordable is a shovel ready solution to address our dragging productivity, and should attract bipartisan support,” Mr Moores stated.

Mr Moores said that the campaign is calling on both major parties to commit to skills recognition reform as a central pillar of any migration policy.

The Activate Australia’s Skills campaign is calling for four practical solutions to reform skills recognition and boost national productivity:

• Establish one national governance system for all overseas skills and qualifications recognition, including a commissioner with regulatory power to provide independent oversight and transparency.
• Create a more joined-up system that links skills recognition for migration purposes with licensing and accreditation for employment purposes.
• Provide financial support for individuals to remove cost barriers and an online portal with all the information so people know what they need to do.
• Set up Migrant Employment Pathway Hubs, or career gateways, with skills recognition navigators to get qualified people working in their professions again.