Understanding How We Got Here

Recent immigration numbers have sparked political debate, with some claiming the Labor government engineered an immigration crisis. However, the comprehensive Parkinson Review of Australia's migration system paints a different picture. This review found the migration system was "so badly broken" it required a "10-year rebuild." The review concluded it was "a deliberate decision to neglect the system" that created the current challenges.

The review found Australia had developed a migration program that was:

• "Not fit for purpose" with unclear objectives

• Failing to attract the most highly skilled migrants

• Unable to efficiently connect businesses with needed workers

• Creating "systemic exploitation" of temporary migrants

• Eroding public confidence in the system

The Post-COVID Rebound Effect

The sharp rise in migration numbers that began in late 2021 occurred primarily due to:

• A backlog of international students returning after border closures

• The processing of visa applications delayed during pandemic restrictions

• Fewer temporary migrants departing Australia than in pre-pandemic years

• Aussies coming back home after COVID

As the Business Council of Australia noted in their report "Migration Makes Australia Stronger," even with the temporary spike in arrivals, Australia's population remains "more than 375,000 people below the pre-pandemic forecast."

The Legacy of Previous Policies

The review identified that Australia had developed a problematic situation where "more than 1.8 million temporary migrants" were living in Australia with no clear pathway to permanency, creating what the report described as "an emerging permanently temporary underclass."

This situation was fuelled by:

• Creation of the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa and various concessions that encouraged longer stays

• An uncapped visa system that allowed unlimited growth in certain visa categories

• Weakened integrity measures in international education

The Albanese Government's Response

Since taking office, the government has been implementing comprehensive reforms based on the Parkinson Review's recommendations:

• Closed COVID concessions that were driving the temporary migration surge

• Introduced stronger English language requirements for international students

• Implemented the Skills in Demand visa to replace the Temporary Skills Shortage visa, targeting genuine skills needs

• Launched the Core Skills Occupation List focusing on essential sectors like construction, cyber security, agriculture and health

Treasury forecasts show migration is already declining substantially:

• Net migration is projected to more than halve from 528,000 in 2022-23 to 260,000 in 2024-25

• The permanent migration intake is decreasing from 190,000 this financial year to 185,000 in 2024-25

• International student numbers are falling as new integrity measures take effect

Surely dutton would be happy to see this?

Despite the clear findings of the Parkinson Review about the need for comprehensive reform, Peter Dutton and the opposition have blocked key legislation:

• They voted against international student caps that would have provided an important tool for managing migration numbers

• They opposed measures to improve the quality and integrity of international education

• They have avoided explaining how they would achieve their stated migration targets without harming regional economies and universities

As Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke noted: "Peter Dutton wants to talk tough on migration but has voted to let it rip when it comes to international students."

A Comprehensive Strategy for the Future

The government's Migration Strategy implements the Parkinson Review's recommendations with five key objectives:

1. Raising living standards by boosting productivity and addressing genuine skills shortages

2. Ensuring fair treatment in the workplace by preventing migrant worker exploitation

3. Building stronger communities through better planning for sustainable migration

4. Strengthening international relationships with regional neighbours

5. Making the system faster, more efficient, and fairer for migrants and employers

These reforms represent the beginning of what the Parkinson Review described as a necessary decade-long process to rebuild Australia's migration system after years of deliberate neglect.

[1] https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/reports-and-pubs/files/review-migration-system-final-report.pdf

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/10/business-lobby-rejects-coalitions-disingenuous-claims-labor-pursuing-big-australia-policy

[3] https://ministers.dewr.gov.au/burke/skilled-visa-reforms-build-modern-australia

[4] https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/TonyBurke/Pages/improving-international-student-management-after-liberals-block-international-student-caps.aspx

[5] https://ministers.dewr.gov.au/oneil/fixing-australias-broken-migration-system

[6] https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Migration/MigrationPathway/Report/Chapter_7_-_Skilled_Migration

[7] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67609963

[8] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-15/federal-budget-immigration-reduction-intake-ballot/103839856

[9] https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/from-skilled-visas-to-ballots-how-australias-migration-changes-could-unfold-in-2025/lyklq8kdg

[10] https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2024/12/11/dutton-numbers-on-immigration