Hindus are the fastest growing religion in Australia mainly due to migration of IT and other skilled experts. Now Australia plans to reduce its migration program.
A statement by The Hon David Coleman MP
MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
21 March 2019
Good afternoon,
I’m writing to you to update you on the Morrison Government’s Population Plan.
We have listened to concerns about the impacts on population growth in our biggest cities. Over the past two
decades, Australia’s infrastructure and services have not kept pace with rapid population growth, causing
congestion on our roads and public transport particularly in Melbourne, Sydney and South East Queensland.
At the same time, we recognise the need for our smaller cities and regional areas to experience greater growth
to secure their economic future and the key public services they rely on.
I have been working with the Prime Minister and many of my colleagues for some time now to deliver a
Population Plan that will better match our infrastructure and immigration programs to Australia’s needs.
New measures will be introduced to ensure future population growth is more evenly distributed, ease the
pressure on big cities, and ensure Australia remains an attractive destination to live and work for highly skilled
and talented people from around the globe.
The Morrison Government’s Population Plans includes:
– Reducing the Migration Program ceiling by 15 per cent to 160,000 places.- The composition of the program will be maintained at approx. 70 per cent in the Skilled
stream and 30 per cent in the Family stream, striking an appropriate balance that maximises
the benefits of immigration to all Australians.
– There is no change to the Family stream of the program, with 47,732 places available in 2019-
20.
– Introducing two new regional visas for skilled workers, requiring them to live and work in regional
Australia for three years before being able to access permanent residence. 23,000 places will be set
aside for these regional visas.
– Providing up to 4,720 scholarships, for both domestic and international students, of up to $15,000
each per year to study at a regional campus of a university or vocational education training provider.
– Giving international students studying at regional universities access to an additional year in Australia
on a post-study work visa.
– Continuing our record $75 billion investment into road and rail infrastructure to bust congestion.
– Helping regional Australia become more attractive to live and work by better connecting them to our
big cities through fast rail.
– Establishing a Centre for Population, ensuring there is a central, consistent and expert
perspective on population growth. The Centre will pursue opportunities to improve
data and research on population and facilitate collaboration on population planning
across Commonwealth, State, Territory and Local governments.
Under the Morrison Government, Federal, State, Territory and Local governments will work together—closer
than ever before—on local population needs.
We will also build on the work our Government is doing to support grassroots initiatives that foster belonging
and break down barriers to social and economic participation, through investing more than $70 million in
social cohesion initiatives.
Australia has thrived from a steady population growth and is the most successful immigration nation in the
world. Our Population Plan will ensure we continue to lead the way.
Sincerely,
David Coleman MP
