This title says it all! As long as business is well-served, the rest of us just have to put up with the dire consequences.
We should be asking ourselves not only whether immigration is good for business, but whether it is good for cohesion in society. - ©Mark
THE AGE: THE business community has urged the Government not to cut Australia's immigration intake, despite calls from the Opposition for a 25% reduction in the coming year.
Australian Industry Group chief executive Heather Ridout said a steady flow of skilled migrants was needed to maintain economic growth.
"You can't just turn the tap on and off," Ms Ridout said.
There was still a skills shortage, which was one reason employers were reluctant to put off workers even though the economy was slowing, she said.
Opposition immigration spokeswoman Sharman Stone said at the weekend that Australia's immigration intake must be cut by a quarter to help cope with the global financial crisis and relieve pressure on cities and the environment.
Dr Stone said the Government's plan for a record 190,300 migrants in 2008-09 should immediately be scaled back to the 2005-06 level of 142,930.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the Government would examine the mid-year economic figures and decide then whether the immigration intake should be changed. >>> Brendan Nicholson | October 27, 2008
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