University study slams immigration policy

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Created on Thursday, 15 November 2012 15:31

Written by Editorial staff

Australians have to compete with foreign workers for employment who are using backpacker immigration visas as a "backdoor" to be eligible to work in the country.

A study by Monash University has discovered that the immigration scheme put in place by prime minister Julia Gillard and her immigration and citizenship minister Chris Bowen is not what the nation's economy needs at this current time.

Research by Dr Bob Birrell and the university's Centre for Urban and Population Research (CPUR) found that the country is in a "boom mentality".

This means there is a mindset that allows for a large immigration intake whereas the reality is the nations is in need of just the opposite.

"In such booms, government and business enterprises seem to lose the capacity to put claims of economic growth to a reality test - claims such as those from the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, which say demand for workers will increase," he said.

A record figure of 210,000 people will be allowed entry this financial year (2012-13) and this is a reflection of a mentality which sees the economic outlook as more positive than reality would suggest.

The study also revealed that the 457 temporary-entry visa program is also at record highs.

Dr Birrell warns that because of nearly a million temporary migrations, including workers and students who are all vying for work, unemployment among the youth of Australia will rise as a result.

Analysis of employment statistics by the university found that 58,000 new jobs were created in the year to August, with 100,000 migrants entering Australia and finding work during that same period.

That identical time frame saw growth of foreigners with work rights but no permanent residency jump four per cent.

The traditional jobs of young people such as fast food attendant, stacking supermarket shelves or working in retail outlets are being taken by migrants, according to Dr Birrell and his research.

"The immigration settings are all based on boom conditions and there's been no adjustment for the dramatic slowdown in the work market," he said to The Australian.

Dr Birrell said that the immigration minister and his department needs to have a rethink when it comes to temporary entrants and examine what this class of visa does to the young Australian workforce and how it impacts the likelihood of employment.