Immigration for sale

[mantra]

Is this a good idea? It will certainly help fill the government's coffer, but it will drastically divide the nation.

The right to immigrate to Australia for sale, under new proposal

Entry fees, not skills or family connections, would be the primary determinant for who gains entry to Australia as an immigrant, under a proposal being examined by the Productivity Commission.

A price-based immigration system could bring in tens of billions of dollars in extra revenue, helping the federal government rein in the budget deficit and trim the number of public servants administering the current system, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The proposal, contained in an issues paper released on Friday, involves creating a HECS-style payment system for immigrants to pay back their entry fee.

The issues paper says one option for an immigration fee would be setting a price and then letting demand dictate the size of the intake.

The other option under review is setting a cap on the intake and allowing demand to determine the price of entry.

Business groups and unions say tackling skills shortages should remain the focus of Australia's immigration policy, however.

And ethnic community groups say they would oppose any moves that would hinder poorer would-be immigrants form reuniting with their families in Australia.

The commission is due to release its final report next March.


http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/0 ... VwMVYoE.99

[Rorschach]

One would think the right to be an Australian and one's suitability would require more than just money.

[Black Orchid]

Ridiculous idea. More people will be able to buy their way into Australia and right onto the dole or DSP.

[Super Nova]

If you have money and buy your way in like in the UK, it just pushes house prices up as they move their money to a safe haven.

I wonder what the macro economics of this will be. At the micro level there is only lose - lose for the locals.

[Neferti]

Who thought up this stupid idea? Only those who can "afford" to migrate here are allowed? Well done, whoever thought that one up!

I do think we should cut down on immigration numbers (isn't it still 150,000 a year?). Also the "working visas" seem to be a way to get into Oz and remain here.

Why are we short of people in a variety of professions and trades?

Are all unemployed people too old (at 50+) or have no qualifications in anything? Or don't want to "re-train" and don't have enough Super to retired early, start a Lawn mowing business for cash and live happily ever after on the wife?

What type of employment can the people who are in High School NOW (say Year 8 or 9) expect to be able to get? What should they study to be able to find a job in, say, 6 years, after they do the Uni course?

I presume that we have an over-supply in some areas and lack supply in others?

Are we becoming more American where everybody goes to "College" and many ends up working at Woolies (or Walmart) with a Degree in Business? Should we,like Americans, start saving for our children's future education BEFORE they are born?

[Super Nova]

I started saving for my daughters education as soon as she was conceived. It is the way now.

Australia is fast becoming the stupid country. Bloody pity. All I hear from aussies here is the price of things are over the top. It must be really unaffordable for you guys living there unless you are in the top 10% of salary earners.

[Rorschach]

The Senator from the LDP thought it up not anyone from the government

[Outlaw Yogi]

Immigration has almost always been for sale in one way or another.
I rember when the Brittish 99 year lease on Hong Kong was about to run out (2007 I think)
and migration for successful HK Chinese was up for sale for $2mil (I think).
And in the last couple of years I read or heard something about business migration being up for grabs at $5mil.

Personally I'm opposed to immigration because it impacts on those who are already here negatively.
Monash uni did some study which said immigration is good for the economy, and all the pollies sang its praises.
Then a West OZ uni did a study which showed immigration always impacts negatively on those already in a given country (any country) and nobody said a word.

So if the current residents' opinons and living standards don't count, we may as well sell the right to live here.

What I don't like is migrants can come here and once estabished can bring in Moma and Papa on Family Reunion. Sponsor Moma and Papa for 10 years, and despite Moma and Papa having never paid a cent in tax in this nation, be elligible for the old age pension.
Where as because I was born after June 1964 I will never be elligible for the aged pension and I was born here. Plus I'm expected to pay the same tax ratios as someone born here before June 1964.

So ultimately what's immigration good for? ... Breeding resentment and ill will of course.
Can I put my Jackboots on and start ethnic cleansing yet?

[mantra]

Immigration has almost always been for sale in one way or another.
I rember when the Brittish 99 year lease on Hong Kong was about to run out (2007 I think)
and migration for successful HK Chinese was up for sale for $2mil (I think).
And in the last couple of years I read or heard something about business migration being up for grabs at $5mil.

I've heard similar. Permanent residency can also apply to some foreign students, although the information is fairly vague. They can even bring their families out. It's no surprise we've already reached our predicted 2040 population of 24 million.

[Super Nova]

The fact is money can buy anything. Just a fact of life.

The more money you have the more you can buy including residency in any country of your choosing. Countries are all falling over themselves for the money.

This is the world we have built....... borders are increasingly irrelevant. It is one big global village where money is king.