PCA advocates SA immigration plan

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Created on Monday, 03 December 2012 15:29

Written by Editorial staff

The Australian Property Council says a new plan to attract 12,000 new migrants from Europe to South Australia will help revive the economy.

The council has produced a policy which attests to the notion that migration is the key to reviving the state's economy, News Limited reports.

This plan would see a special expedited immigration visa brought in after the state government creates a strong marketing campaign aimed at citizens of nations whose economies are dwindling.

Executive director of the Property Council in South Australia Nathan Paine said the situation is bad enough that something must be done.

He commented to the Herald Sun: "At sub one per cent, our population growth rate is the lowest on the Australian mainland.

"This not only contributes to economic stagnation, but it also allows a sense of rot to creep in - it's preventing the vibrancy we all want."

Such nations that would be the focus of this campaign would be Greece, Italy, Spain and Ireland.

This plan would also be supported through relocation costs, low interest home loans and resettlement programs - all in the name of boosting the state's population and economy.

Those who are of the desired age (family formation age) would be sought and anyone who can fill positions in industries such as defence, construction, logistics, advanced manufacturing and oil and gas.

Mr Paine likened this new plan to the "Ten-Pound Tourist" scheme which was very successful for originally populating the state.

However, there are those who are against the plan with the convenor Bob Couch of the Stop Population Growth Now Party suggesting that a greater population puts more pressure on the state's infrastructure such as health services, schools, roads and land.

He added that the Property Council is just keen to see the population grow so that the building industry grows.

The spokesperson for the state's trade minister, Tom Koutsantonis, said that this plan has merit but South Australia already is utilising immigration as a means for population growth.

He commented: "South Australia's economy and low unemployment should be enough in themselves to attract migrants, although we need to make sure potential migrants in Europe, North America and Asia know more about our positive attributes - our climate, strong economy and job and investment opportunities."